Human Rights Day message by NHRC, India Chairperson Justice Shri Arun Mishra

Press Release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi, 9th December, 2023

Human Rights Day message by NHRC, India Chairperson Justice Shri Arun Mishra

“Greetings on the eve of Human Rights Day, which is commemorated on the 10th of every December since 1948 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It’s now 75 years to this epoch-making document serving as a guiding principle for the promotion and protection of human rights throughout the world. No wonder it is one of the most translated documents in 500 languages underscoring its importance.

Its celebration every year tones up the narrative set for the protection of human rights and reminds to continue with the tireless efforts and hard work put in by people and organizations all over the world in protecting and promoting human rights.

Human rights are inalienable, moral and pre-legal rights. Every law is required to be compliant with them. Let us resolve to ensure that this enduring reality remains unchanged amidst various challenges facing humanity in an ever changing world. This need has been very aptly surmised in this year’s theme for Human Rights Day- “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All.” This underscores our collective obligation to create a society that is just, inclusive and remains humane for all everywhere.

Thus, every human is entitled to live a life with dignity and enjoy rights in a free atmosphere. The Constitution of India unequivocally imbibes these values. These also reflect in the motto of the National Human Rights Commission, India - “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah” i.e. “May all be happy.” Let us all work towards achieving this noble cause irrespective of caste, creed, sex, language and status.

The Commission, since its inception in 1993, has carved out the path for cherishing the values of equality, freedom, and justice and, in that spirit, it has been striving for the protection of human rights with expeditious redressal to grievances with the cooperation of Centre and State Governments as well as the civil society.

Let our quest for a just and an equitable society never end…. Jai Hind!!”