The British Humanist Association (BHA) has today marked the 61st International Human Rights Day, celebrating the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The clearly enunciated principles of the declaration, beginning with Article 1: ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood‘ are fundamental aspects of the humanist philosophy based on humanity, reason and shared human values.
Campaigns Officer, Pepper Harow, commented, ‘The establishment of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10th December 1948 changed the way the world thinks about freedom. These 30 articles are the basis of a free, equal and open society which allows individuals to fully enjoy their rights and freedoms.’
She continued, ‘International Human Rights Day is an important day to celebrate for humanists as it underlines the importance of freedom of religion and belief. This year’s focus of non-discrimination is of particular relevance to the BHA’s work campaigning for an open society as the right of an individual to hold their personal beliefs, and to be treated equally regardless of those beliefs, is fundamental to all the work that we do, and is also necessary for a neutral, secular state.’
The BHA campaigns on a number of issues in order to secure recognition and observance of human rights. In the past year, the BHA has produced a response to the Ministry of Justices’ Rights and Responsibilities Green Paper, and worked with organisations such as Rights of the Child UK (ROCK), a coalition of children’s rights activists, which calls on the Government to make the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNRC) part of the UK Law.
The BHA has also supports a number of rights-based activist groups and forums, including the Cutting Edge Consortium, the End Violence Against Women coalition and Dying Matters to effectively represent and advance human rights in a variety of different areas, and at local, regional and national level.
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For further information or comment, please contact Pepper Harow on 020 7462 4992.
Read more about the BHA’s campaigns.
The British Humanist Association is the national charity representing and supporting the interests of ethically concerned, non-religious people in the UK. It is the largest organisation in the UK campaigning for an end to religious privilege and to discrimination based on religion or belief, and for a secular state.