Human Rights Day

What is Human Rights Day About?

International Human Rights Day celebrates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document that gives every human the rights that they are entitled to, regardless of race, gender, age or other characteristics. This links to the Human Rights Act and the Equality Act 2010, which protects individuals from discrimination.

However, while we have this protection, many people around the world are not given their entitled rights. This day is about raising awareness of those who are not given their basic rights and essential needs like access to food, clothing, shelter and education.

When is Human Rights Day?

International Human Rights Day is on December 10^th every year.

Significance of Human Rights Day

This day is significant as it highlights the importance of human rights. Human rights are universal, meaning everyone is entitled to them, which protect people from being discriminated against, protects vulnerable groups, meets people’s basic needs and encourages freedom of expression. As well as these, human rights include the right to life, the right to education, the right to healthcare, freedom from slavery, the right to work, the right to practice religion and much more.

However, groups of people around the world are denied these rights, as seen with women and children, or in concentration camps. Many people cannot even have the basic rights of food and shelter, let alone education.

We should fight to achieve equality for all and help those around the world who are in less privileged positions than ourselves. This day is therefore a day on which people donate to charity to help less privileged people around the world.

Rights in Islam

As Muslims, we believe that everyone has the same rights and are equal. In addition, they should not be denied their basic rights like food, water, shelter, clothing, freedom of expression and freedom to practice religion.

Donating to Muslim Aid

Here at Muslim Aid, we work to ensure that those who need our support can be given their essential needs and rights. We have several appeals like our Safe Water Appeal to prevent water-related illnesses and deaths and our Education Appeal which ensures children can have an education, even in remote areas of the world. Our case study about Farzana shows the impacts of your donations in allowing children to have an education, which fulfils their human rights.

Farzana, 8 years old, lives in a rural area of Pakistan where literacy rates are low, especially for women and girls. Her family did not allow her to go to school but allowed her brother to. Muslim Aid has been able to provide parents in the area with information about how important it is for young girls to have an education, which has led to Farzana being able to go to school.

Donate to Muslim Aid this International Human Rights Day to support our work in helping the needy and impoverished, as well as those who are denied their basic human rights. Your donations will enable us to carry out more work to benefit others.