Today, 10 December 2009, is International Human Rights Day, and there are a wealth of events taking place in Scotland and around the world. Professor Alan Miller, Chair of the Commission said: “Around the world today people will be thinking about the progress that has been made towards recognising and respecting the human rights of everyone, and the distance that remains to everyone realising their rights.   

Watch a video message from different national human rights institutions:

“The Commission has been operational for one year today, and we have had an exciting and engaging 12 months. All of us have enjoyed meeting people from across Scotland, and the Commission is working hard on a range of issues from monitoring the implementation of international conventions and promoting human dignity in care, to helping public bodies live up to their human rights obligations.”

Scotland

The Commission is celebrating by announcing that Scotland is to host the 10th ICC Biennial in October 2010.

It will be the first time an official United Nations-supported event has taken place in Scotland, with delegates from over 80 countries including national human rights institutions (NHRIs), international and regional experts, United Nations officials, government representatives, civil society and business organisations will join together to discuss human rights issues on the theme of Business and Human Rights. You can read the news release on the announcement. The Biennial will be hosted at the Scottish Parliament.

Amnesty International Scotland are marking the culmination of months of campaigning around Scotland on behalf of persecuted Indian doctor Binayak Sen. A giant mosaic of Dr Sen made from campaign postcards will be displayed at the Potterow Centre at the University of Edinburgh for use in lobbying the Indian Consulate in Edinburgh. The signed portions of the cards will be used to form a giant mosaic of Dr Sen. The creation of the mosaic will take place today from 10.00am - 4.00pm. To volunteer, please email scotland@amnesty.org.uk or telephone +44 (0)131 313 7001.

Several primary schools participating in the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Award are holding human rights workshops and presentations today across the country.

In the UK

Amnesty International UK and acclaimed theatre company, iceandfire, are joining forces to discover the best new

plays exploring human rights issues through a new script initiative, Everyone has the Right. The project launches at 6.30pm on 10 December at an event at the London School of Economics. Tickets are free and no pre-registration is required. Writers are invited to submit scripts, which will be read by a member of the iceandfire team. The best plays will receive professional rehearsed readings at Amnesty International UK’s Human Rights Action Centre.

International

Every year on International Human Rights Day, the global community commemorates the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The global theme of International Human Rights Day 2009 is Non Discrimination. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,

Navi Pillay said today: “Non discrimination is intrinsic to human rights. This year I am calling on all countries, all individuals, all over the world to embrace diversity and honour the human rights of everyone.” You can read the full statement from the High Commissioner at the OHCHR website. At the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will lead a panel discussion on discrimination in development work.

Elsewhere, The Right to Education Project is organizing an online forum on the right to education throughout the week that anyone can join in. This is inspired by the work of the former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, Katarina Tomaševski.