International Human Rights Day is celebrated on December 10th each year to mark the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) adoption by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. The UDHR is a milestone document in the history of human rights, outlining the fundamental rights and freedoms that every individual is entitled to, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, or other status.

The UDHR was adopted as a direct response to the atrocities of World War II. It aims to prevent such human rights abuses in the future and promote dignity, equality, and justice for all people. It sets out a broad range of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the right to life, liberty, security, education, healthcare, and freedom of expression and assembly.

For United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) Local 196, celebrating International Human Rights Day on December 10th emphasizes our continued advocacy for the rights of healthcare workers and patients, including safe working conditions, fair wages, and access to healthcare as a fundamental human right. It also provides a platform to highlight the connection between labour and human rights, underscoring that all individuals deserve respect, dignity, and the protection of their fundamental freedoms.