HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2020

December 10^th is Human Rights Day. On this day the whole world celebrates (this year mostly virtually) one of the greatest accomplishments of the last century, the adoption of the universal declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The Declaration set out, for the first time in history, those fundamental human rights that Governments all over the world undertook to respect, protect and promote.

The Declaration proclaims a simple, yet powerful idea: ”all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. These rights are the birthright of all people: it does not matter, what country we live in and even who we are. Because we are human, we have these rights; and Governments are bound to protect them. They are not a reward for good behaviour, nor they are optional or the privilege of a few – they are the inalienable entitlements of all people, at all times. And because they are universal, they are also matters of common and legitimate concern; and not only: standing up for them is a responsibility that binds us all.

Meeting international human rights commitments requires strong political will and systematic, daily efforts from all countries, regardless of their level of development or the magnitude of challenges they face.

The Eritrean Government has chosen the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council as the vehicle to promote its compliance with its international human rights obligations. The European Union stands ready to provide support to these efforts.