President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by Proclamation declared Sunday, December 10, 2017 as “International Human Rights Day”, and it’s to be observed throughout the country as a “Working Holiday”. Since the day falls on Sunday, the day will be celebrated on Monday, December 11, 2017.

She further calls upon all citizens and foreign residents, national and international organizations and all Government agencies concerned to join the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) and execute appropriate programs befitting the observance of the day.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, this year’s Human Rights Day will be celebrated under the global theme: “We Are Equal in Dignity and Rights” and the national theme: “Advancing the Rights and Dignity of Children and Persons with Disabilities”.

This year’s Human Rights Day is devoted to the launch of a year-long campaign for the 51^st anniversary of the two international covenants on human rights: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 16, 1966.

In 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and, in 1950, the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V), inviting all States and interested organizations to observe December 10^th of each year as Human Rights Day.

In 2005, by an Act of the Legislature, Liberia, a founding member of the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), and a signatory to the Charters of both organizations, expressed strong commitment to the principles of human rights, and established an Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR).