WUNRN
Women Human Rights Defenders -
Website:
Defending Women - Defending Rights
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The theme for Human Rights Day 10 December 2010 is human
rights defenders who act to end discrimination.
Human rights defenders acting against discrimination, often
at great personal risk to both themselves and their families, are being
recognized and acclaimed on this day.
Human rights defenders speak out against abuse and
violations including discrimination, exclusion, oppression and violence. They
advocate justice and seek to protect the victims of human rights
violations. They demand accountability for perpetrators and transparency
in government action. In so doing, they are often putting at risk their
own safety, and that of their families.
Some human rights defenders are famous, but most are not.
They are active in every part of the world, working alone and in groups, in
local communities, in national politics and internationally.
Human Rights Day 2010 will highlight and promote the
achievements of human rights defenders and it will again emphasize the primary
responsibility Governments have to enable and protect their role. The Day is
also intended to inspire a new generation of defenders to speak up and take
action to end discrimination in all of its forms whenever and wherever it is
manifested.
The story does not end after 10 December 2010. The
focus on the work of human rights defenders will continue through all of 2011.
The UN Human Rights office can assist you build your own
campaigns for 10 December and the year to follow.