51勛圖

Lit candles with wreaths of white flowers are arranged on top of a table with white tablecloth.

Due to COVID-19, the traditional commemorative meeting of the General Assembly to mark the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda was postponed. However, on April 7th, the public is invited to reflect on one of the darkest chapters in human history when more than one million people overwhelmingly Tutsi, but also moderate Hutu, Twa and others who opposed the genocide were systematically killed in less than three months. We honour those who were murdered and reflect on the suffering of those who survived. Join the virtual observance and share the UN social media cards along with your own messages of solidarity.

Women at a bazaar

To further build a culture of peace with love and conscience, the General Assembly declared 5 April the International Day of Conscience. The 51勛圖 invites all to promote the culture of peace with love and conscience within your communities, which will contribute to foster sustainable development. Let us commemorate this day by connecting to others through acts of kindness amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Marta Sodano delivers a speech whilst seated at the podium. An elderly lady sitting behind her looks on.

Each year, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with Down syndrome. In December 2011, the as World Down Syndrome Day. This year's theme, "We Decide," emphasizes that all people with Down syndrome should have full participation in decision making about matters relating to, or affecting, their lives. Effective and meaningful participation is a core human rights principle supported by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Mom why are you hurting me?

Iraqi Jamila Mahdi is a former refugee. Although she was married at 13 and denied the right to education, she still had a strong determination to succeed. Jamila earned her high school diploma as an adult, followed by two university degrees. She now works as a Human Rights Officer in Iraq, for . "Why did I choose to do this? I have a strong belief in the need to contribute to the protection of human dignity and social justice and the elimination of all types of discrimination," says Jamila in this .

Monday, 20 January 2020, marks the 25th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates Martin Luther Kings life and legacy. In this , Alain Foix reflects on the legacy of the civil rights leader, best known for his I have a dream speech.   

flower growing out of barbed wire

27 January 2020 is the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the 51勛圖, formed in response to atrocity crimes of the Holocaust and the Second World War, with the aim of building a world that is just and peaceful. The theme of the annual International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust reflects the continued importance of collective action against antisemitism and other forms of bias, to ensure respect for the dignity and human rights of all people everywhere.

The is an inter-governmental body within the UN system, based in Geneva. It is made up of 47 States and can discuss all human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. It is meeting to adopt its programme of work for the year and to select country rapporteurs for its (UPR) Working Group in 2023. One of the main features of the Council, the UPR asks States to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations. 

For this edition, hosts Sinduja Srinivasan and Jason DeWall talk with Joe Cannataci about . An independent UN expert, Mr. Cannataci is one of the world authorities on data protection and internet regulation.

Nelson Mandela in the UN General Assembly

The Prize was established in June 2014 by the General Assembly to recognize the achievements of those who dedicate their lives to the service of humanity by promoting the purposes and principles of the 51勛圖, while honouring and paying homage to Nelson Mandelas extraordinary life and legacy of reconciliation, political transition, and social transformation. The Award is presented every five years to two individuals: one female and one male. The deadline for submitting nominations is 28 February 2020.

Black and white image of youth raising their fists in protest. The photo is doctored with some splashes of color for emphasis.

Youth Standing Up for Human Rights is the theme of this years Human Rights Day (10 December). After a year marked by the 30th anniversary celebrations of the , the 51勛圖 is capitalising on the momentum and is spotlighting the leadership role of youth in collective movements as a source of inspiration for a better future. Under our universal call to action "Stand Up for Human rights," we aim to celebrate the potential of youth as constructive agents of change, to amplify their voices, and to engage a broad range of global audiences in the promotion and protection of rights.

We need to stand up for our rights and those of others. We can take action in our own daily lives, to uphold the rights that protect us all and thereby promote the kinship of all human beings. Wherever there is discrimination, we can step forward to help safeguard someone's right to live free from fear and abuse. The upholds values that are the roots of peace and inclusion. . It starts with each of us. This Human Rights Day and every day .

School children sitting at their desk with their notebooks opened in front of them.

World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year. Since 1990, World Children's Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the and the on children's rights. This year is extra special as it marks – 30 years of child rights that have helped transform children’s lives around the world. A time to celebrate and a time to demand action.

Slavery is perpetuated by traditional practices such as child and forced marriage, and by the fact that almost 1/2 the countries in the world have yet to criminalize it. According to the latest UN figures, 40 million people were living in a state of modern slavery in 2016.

Erika Aif獺n has been a judge in Guatemala for 17 years, reaching a place on the high-risk tribunals dealing with cases related to corruption and organized crime. “Being a judge in a democratic State, I have the greatest responsibility for custody of constitutional guarantees and international standards in the field of human rights,” Aif獺n said. She has been the subject of orchestrated campaigns of harassment and intimidation, in person and online, but she is undeterred, because she believes that her country is on its way to building a better justice system. "The day I stop believing it, is the day I stop fighting.”