Human Rights Day 2024: Protecting refugees’ rights, shaping our shared future

Every year, on December 10, the world comes together to observe Human Rights Day, marking the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. This document laid the foundation for the fundamental rights that all people, regardless of race, nationality, or religion, are entitled to. It is a pledge for justice, equality and dignity.

The theme for Human Rights Day 2024 “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now” reminds us that human rights are not just aspirational but a call to action. Today, more than ever, we must embrace the power of human rights as the path to creating a peaceful, equal and sustainable world.

For displaced communities, these rights provide the framework to rebuild their lives, restore their dignity, and secure a better future.

The UDHR enshrines the belief that every individual has the right to safety, education, health and the freedom to participate fully in society. By embracing human rights, we enable individuals and communities to break free from cycles of violence, poverty, and oppression. These rights offer protection and promise, and they empower people to shape their futures.

For refugees, these rights are especially crucial. Refugees often find themselves in life-threatening circumstances, forced to flee violence, persecution and poverty. When refugees are granted the right to protection, access to education and the ability to work and contribute to society, they can rebuild their lives.

This transformation not only benefits the individuals but enriches entire communities and contributes to a stronger, more resilient society.

At DRC, we are dedicated to protecting and empowering refugees and displaced communities across the region. Staff work tirelessly to ensure that displaced populations can fulfill their rights. Our programs offer direct protection and livelihood support, ensuring that individuals can navigate complex humanitarian landscapes. We also engage with governments and local communities to advocate for policies that respect and uphold the rights of displaced people.

While the UDHR has laid a strong foundation, the work is far from complete. The world continues to face unprecedented challenges, with millions displaced due to conflict, climate change and political instability. Refugees and IDPs remain at heightened risk of violence, exploitation and abuse.

In the EAGL region, where conflict and environmental pressures often create new waves of displacement, the protection of human rights remains a critical issue.

However, the resilience of refugees and displaced persons in the face of such adversity is inspiring. Many refugee communities, despite their hardships, have shown remarkable agency in rebuilding their lives, helping others, and contributing to their host communities. Their rights, when protected, become a catalyst for positive change.

As we observe Human Rights Day 2024, it is essential to remember that human rights are not just an ideal they are an urgent and immediate need for millions of people today. The work DRC and countless other organizations are doing to protect and empower displaced communities is vital, but much remains to be done.

Human rights must be at the core of every action we take, from local communities to global governance.