With this year’s theme “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All”, International Human Rights Day 2022 is being observed in the country today (Saturday) as elsewhere across the globe. Different organisations have taken elaborate programmes to observe the day. The United Nations has launched a year-long campaign to showcase the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by focusing on its legacy, relevance and activism. With the call to action #StandUp4HumanRights the year-long campaign seeks to shift the needle of understanding and action towards greater knowledge of the universality of the UDHR and the activism associated with it. Read more: UN adopts resolution on human rights of Rohingya, other minorities in Myanmar "Human rights are the foundation for human dignity, and the cornerstone of peaceful, inclusive, fair, equal and prosperous societies," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a message on Friday. He has urged Member States, civil society, the private sector and others to put human rights at the heart of efforts to reverse today’s damaging trends. Marking the Human Rights Day, Guterres said, "They are a unifying force and a rallying cry. They reflect the most fundamental thing we share – our common humanity." The world is facing unprecedented and interlocking challenges to human rights, Guterres said. Hunger and poverty are increasing – an affront to the economic and social rights of hundreds of millions of people. The UN chief said media freedom and the safety of journalists are in dangerous decline in almost every region of the world. "Trust in institutions is evaporating, especially among young people. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased levels of violence against women and girls," he said. United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948. Read more: Qatar 2022: European nations still raising human rights concerns with FIFA It was a milestone document proclaiming the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world.

Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, The Zonta International, a globally acclaimed service organisation, has launched its ‘16 Days of Activism’ campaign on Friday against gender-based violence. Starting from November 25, the campaign will feature several events and activities on eradicating violence against women and girls in society and advancing women's rights, continuing till December 10, the International Human Rights Day. Six Zonta Clubs in Dhaka and Chattogram organised a rally at the Gulshan Society Lake Park in the capital on Friday afternoon to kick off the activism programmes, which was joined by the distinguished and eminent Zontians to celebrate their unity against gender-based violence.

Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) on Sunday honoured 10 Heroes of the Covid Pandemic, who came forward voluntarily in providing food, cash livelihood and health support, stood up against stigmatization of certain groups, or stopped and prevented child marriages including violence against women and girls.