Following is the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, statement for Human Rights Day, observed on 10 December.
Today the Commonwealth proudly joins the global community in observing Human Rights Day.
Human rights are the cornerstone of a meaningful, dignified and secure life for everyone, everywhere. They are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated – fundamental to the full and free participation of individuals in every sphere of life.
Our world faces profound challenges: conflicts that uproot communities, rising inequality, the existential threat of climate change, and the erosion of civic spaces. These crises remind us that human rights are not optional; they are essential for sustainable peace, prosperity and progress.
This day calls on us to reflect on how far we have come and how much remains to be done. Since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, there has been undeniable progress. But the road ahead remains long and demands sustained commitment.
Seven weeks ago, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, our leaders renewed their commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights for all and to combating all forms of discrimination in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
If we are to leave no one behind, we must translate these commitments into action.
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 requires treating human rights as essential. They are the pillars upon which equitable, inclusive and just societies are built, where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive.
To mark this day, we are hosting a dialogue on ‘Building a Common Resilient Future for the Commonwealth: The Transformational Power of Human Rights’ in partnership with the Permanent Mission of the Independent State of Samoa, at our Small States Office in Geneva. This is one of many initiatives we undertake throughout the year to promote and protect human rights.
Human rights are a core value enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter. On this important day, we reaffirm our commitment to upholding these values and working together to build a future where the 2.7 billion people of the Commonwealth can enjoy lives of dignity, equality and freedom.
The responsibility to champion human rights must be shared by everyone, from governments to individuals. I urge everyone to promote and respect human rights, not just today, but every day.
Read more about our work on the promotion and protection of human rights in the Commonwealth
Media contact
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Snober Abbasi, Senior Communications Officer, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
