KAMPALA– Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) together with other partners in protection and promotion of Human Rights will be held on the 10th December join the rest of the world to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
The UN General Assembly adopted the UDHR on 10th December 1948, in the aftermath of World War II, with commitment to the equality of all human beings, irrespective of colour, race or gender.
It has served, and continues to serve, as a global roadmap for rights and freedoms. It forms the bedrock of all subsequent human rights documents, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1CCPR), which safeguards individual liberties, and the International Convention on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, which protects co-enjoyed rights.
The UDHR’s enduring influence extends to conventions like the convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Conference on Population and Development Program of Action, the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action (VDPA), – which establishes the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights – the Convention Against Torture (CAT), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), and the East African Treaty.
Therefore, marking 75 years of this declaration is so profound to the reflection and mechanisms on the human rights journey thus far, guided by the international theme: Equality, Freedom and Justice for All.
In a joint press briefing held at UHRC Headquarters in Kampala , Mariam Wangadya the Commission Chairperson revealed that Uganda’s main commemoration event will have a High-level National Public Dialogue to be held at Sheraton Hotel – Kampala on Monday 11th December 2023.
“The 1995 Constitution can be described as a human rights-centered document, in which the UDHR constitutes its current Chapter Four; also known as the Bill of Rights. The same 1995 Constitution creates a National Human Rights Institution, the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), which is charged with the protection and promotion of all human rights and freedoms under Chapter 4 and any other provisions under the laws of Uganda.”
That on the issue of the commission’s role of educating and empowering citizens with human rights knowledge , it has also, for decades now, been spearheading commemoration activities during which it carries out joint advocacy and publicity campaigns to emphasize the profound importance of the UDHR to the lives of ordinary persons in Uganda.
“During the Commemoration of the 70 years of the UDHR, the Commission, together with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), conducted an Essay and Art Competition to cultivate a culture of human rights observance among youth aged 16-24 years. Additionally, the Commission and partners established a human rights museum, featuring an artistic presentation of the rights and freedoms under the UDHR.”
This year’s celebrations are going to be held under a local theme: UDHR@75, Evaluating Uganda’s Progress in the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights.
Other activities to be held during this year’s celebrations include: Three Community Barazas in Mpigi district, primarily targeting fishing communities in Buwama, sub-county, they will host a twitter space in the evening of Sunday 10th December from 7:00pm, supported by Agora.
And also , two radio talk shows will be held on December 10th in Kampala and one in Gulu,supported by the African Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV) and Justice Access Point (JAP).
