Human Rights Day should be on the daily agenda

Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December and this year the day marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. At Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy (ICLD), we believe acting for Human Rights is the obvious way to act every day.

In reality, Human Rights are broken every second. For every new breath we take a new abuse is committed. Violation of individuals' right to their own living conditions is part of millions of people's everyday lives. Today, when we pay attention to what the Nobel Prize award winners have made for humanity is also the day when we pay attention to the struggle for human rights. This, is in my view, fundamentally good, though we should pay attention every day to ensuring human rights. The fact that many humans spend their lives to advance areas of science is important, short term as well as in the long term for the survival of humanity. The link to Human Rights is perhaps most obvious when we talk about the Nobel Peace Prize. Recognition for reducing conflicts and contributing to peace is, in my eyes, the greatest of all prizes.

This year's Nobel peace prize winner, Dr Denis Mukwege is a close friend of mine. His struggle (with great danger to his own life) for women's rights, not only their inviolable right to life and health, but their right to a life filled with the same opportunities as men, to the same opportunities as you and me, is an inspiration to us all. It seems like common sense that everyone should have the right to choose their own path in life, not limited based on gender, ethnicity or where you were born.

ICLD is committed to supporting for local democracy to ensure that everyone is included and involved in local decision-making processes, that processes are transparent, and decision-makers are made responsible for their decisions. It may never have been more important than now, at a time when people lack trust in political systems, a time when more walls (literarily) are being built. We believe it is a time when we need to institutionalize democracy and stand up for Human Rights every day. In ICLD’s view this is the only way to ensure a sustainable world.

Johan Lilja, Secretary General ICLD