(New York, December 9, 2016) – Tomorrow the world celebrates Human Rights Day, marking the adoption in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On Saturday night, New York City’s iconic Empire State Building and Toronto’s majestic CN Tower will shine bright blue to honor Human Rights Day and the Human Rights Watch mission to promote rights and justice around the world.
“This is such a significant moment for the Empire State Building and the CN Tower to be shining a light on human rights worldwide. Today we celebrate the mission of Human Rights Watch and the universal values we promote,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. “At a time of rising fear and intolerance, it is important to signal from on high that human rights apply to everyone, regardless of nationality, gender, race, or religion.”
This year’s Human Rights Day marks the start of the United Nation’s “Stand up for someone’s rights today” campaign. This encourages people around the world to learn about human rights, to speak out or step up when others are threatened, and urge leaders to uphold rights. The campaign asks people to consider how rights affect their daily lives and stand together to make a difference.
Human Rights Watch, an independent, international organization founded in 1978, is known for its accurate fact-finding and impartial reporting in more than 90 countries, effective use of media, and targeted advocacy, often in partnership with local human rights groups. The 400 staff members based around the world work tirelessly to end human rights violations by thoroughly and impartially investigating and exposing abuses, pressing for policy changes to improve human rights, and seeking to bring abusers to justice. Human Rights Watch accepts no government funding.
Traditional on-the-ground fact-finding, combined with new technologies and innovative advocacy, keeps Human Rights Watch on the cutting edge of promoting respect for human rights worldwide.
