President George Manneh Weah has by Proclamation declared Tuesday, December 10, 2019 as “International Human Rights Day” and is to be observed throughout the Republic as a Working Holiday.

The Proclamation calls on citizens of Liberia and foreign residents, National and International Organizations As well as government agencies concerned to join the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) in planning and executing appropriate programs befitting the observance of the day.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, this year’s celebration which marks the 71^st commemoration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) will be celebrated under the global theme: “YOUTH STANDING UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS’’

The event will be commemorated under the national theme: “EMPOWER YOUTH TO STAND FOR HUMAN RIGHTS”

According to the Proclamation, this year’s celebration will take place in the Administration Building in Gbarnga, Bong County, commencing at 10:O’clock Ante Meridian. 

The Republic of Liberia is signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is a founding member of the United Nations, the Foreign Ministry release added.  

On the 10^th of December 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights mandating State parties to promote, protect and respect Human and People’s Rights, the Proclamation recalls

The Proclamation further recounted that the declaration and the existence of Human Rights standards and the guarantee of the promotion, protection and respect for Human Rights by state parties form the basis for the commemoration of the International Human Rights Day yearly.

“The annual celebration of the International Human Rights Day and the closure of the sixteen Days of Activism is an opportunity to recommit to be solemn undertakings by world Leaders and the African people to promote and safeguard fundamental human rights regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, status, creed and sex”, the Proclamation reveals. 

According to the release, the commemoration at seventy one (71) shows the continuously awaken greater awareness of the African people and the International community about the value of life and humanity so as to renew collective commitments to protection, respect as well as to uphold the fundamental human rights. 

The proclamation added that the observance of the Day is symbolic, owing to its expression of gratitude of partnership and continuous collaborations aimed at strengthening the cooperation between the United Nations’ Office of High Commissioner on Human Rights, the Secretariat of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRIs) and the Independent National Commission on Human Rights as well as the People of Liberia.