Human Rights and Protection of Lawyers

Human Rights Day 2013 - 20th anniversary of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

"As we continue to strive towards a world that acknowledges the rights of all human beings, the Vienna Declaration and Plan of Action, adopted at the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993, still sets the agenda for much of our work. The Declaration, which led to historic advances in the promotion and protection of human rights, is the most significant overarching human rights document produced in the past 40 years".


– UN Human Rights Chief, Navi Pillay

Human Rights Day is held on 10 December every year, the date the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaiming its principles as the “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.”


2013 is a particularly important year because of the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.


20 YEARS: WORKING FOR YOUR RIGHTS is Human Rights Day 2013's theme. Special events will be held on 5 December in Geneva and 10 December in New York and in the Human Rights field offices in all regions.


Please click here for further information. Check out the promotional video.