Human Rights Day – AFT Online Town Hall on Defending Immigration Rights & More

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Washington is sponsoring an online Human Rights Day Town Hall with an agenda to “examine potential threats under the next U.S. federal administration, such as promises of mass deportations, the targeting of DEI efforts, and the promotion of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination which all take direct aim at fundamental rights described in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

Register here  for the Tuesday, December 10, 2024 AFT Washington Online Town Hall from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Human Rights Day 2024 commemorates the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The day is designed to reflect on achievements as well as ongoing struggles of human rights around the world, and the United Nations set this year’s theme as “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.” UN News will have live, all-day coverage of Human Rights Day events from around the world.

The UDHR defines human rights as universal and inalienable, not something granted by states. The UN explains that human rights “belong to everyone, everywhere, simply by virtue of being human. They transcend race, gender, nationality, or beliefs, ensuring inherent equality and dignity for all. These rights are fundamental and inalienable, meaning they cannot be taken away except in specific legal circumstances, such as imprisonment following due process. Human rights are also considered indivisible and interdependent, which means that the fulfillment of one right often relies on others. For example, the right to education is crucial for exercising political rights, such as voting in elections. Similarly, the right to health and access to clean water are vital for the right to life and dignity. Understanding this interconnection is essential in addressing complex global issues. Tackling one area can lead to progress in others, while ignoring even one right can create a ripple effect, harming individuals and communities in multiple ways.”

Wikipedia describes the UDHR as enshrining the “rights and freedoms of all human beings. Drafted by a UN committee chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt, it was accepted by the General Assembly … on 10 December 1948…. The UDHR commits nations to recognize all humans as being ‘born free and equal in dignity and rights’ regardless of ‘nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status.’ The Declaration is generally considered to be a milestone document for its universalist language, which makes no reference to a particular culture, political system, or religion. It directly inspired the development of international human rights law, and was the first step in the formulation of the International Bill of Human Rights, which was completed in 1966 and came into force in 1976.”