Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Official website of the State –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On December 10, the world celebrates International Human Rights Day—a date that reminds us that individual rights and freedoms are not a gift from the state, but the foundation of human dignity, without which justice, peace, and sustainable development are impossible. The holiday was established on December 4, 1950, by a UN General Assembly resolution to commemorate a turning point in human history: the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Paris on December 10, 1948.
The most translated document in the world
The 30-article document established that every person, regardless of race, gender, language, religion, belief, or social status, has inalienable rights—simply because they are human. The idea harks back to the philosophical tradition of natural law: as early as the 17th century, the English thinker John Locke identified three fundamental rights: life, liberty, and property.
In the 20th century, nations shocked by the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust realized that human rights must be enshrined at the global level.
The Declaration, in particular, established:
the right to life, liberty and security of person; prohibition of torture and cruel treatment; the right to rest and leisure; freedom of movement and choice of residence; the right to marry without racial, national or religious restrictions; freedom of opinion and expression; the right to education.
Today, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been translated into 577 languages—more than any other document in the world. This demonstrates not only its universality but also the people's need for a clear, accessible language of human dignity.
Incidentally, the first international recognition of children's rights occurred in 1924, when the League of Nations adopted the Geneva Declaration. And the principle of gender equality was officially enshrined in the UN Charter in 1945—the first time in the history of interstate treaties.
Challenges, Themes, and Laureates
Each year, the UN sets a theme for Human Rights Day to highlight current challenges. The following themes have been used over the past five years:
Build Back Better (2020) Equality – Reducing Inequalities, Advancing Human Rights (2021) Dignity, Liberty, and Justice for All (2022) Liberty, Equality, and Justice for All (2023) Our Rights, Our Future, Now (2024)
In 2025, the theme is "Human Rights: An Integral Part of Our Everyday Life," emphasizing that this is not about abstract ideas, but about real conditions of work, education, access to healthcare, digital security, and protection from discrimination.
Since 1968, the UN has awarded the UN Prize in the Field of Human Rights on this date every five years. Among the laureates are Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the main authors of the Declaration and a champion of women's rights, and Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in human rights.
From the USSR to the present day
It's worth noting that in the 1948 vote, 48 out of 58 countries supported the Declaration, while the Soviet Union abstained, fearing that its provisions could be used to interfere in the internal affairs of states. Thus, human rights in our country only received constitutional recognition in the 1990s.
On September 5, 1991, the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR adopted the Declaration of Human and Civil Rights and Freedoms, and on November 22, a similar document with a more precise title. These acts formed the basis of Chapter II of the 1993 Constitution of the Russian Federation, which proclaims human rights and freedoms as the highest value, and their protection as the state's responsibility. We also celebrate an international anniversary: December 10 is traditionally marked by conferences, roundtables, lectures, and educational events.
As a university that trains the next generation of leaders and managers, the First Management University considers one of its key objectives to be instilling in students a deep respect for human rights as the foundation of the rule of law and civil society. After all, governance is not only about power but also about responsibility for upholding the rights of everyone.
Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: December 10, 2025.
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