Speak Up Stop Discrimination - Human Rights Day 2010 by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights United Nations 2:53am 7th Dec, 2010   10 December 2010    Voices against Discrimination must not be Silenced, UN Rights Experts Warn.    A group of 55 United Nations independent human rights experts have called upon States all over the world to protect human rights defenders, and to recognize and respond to the continued targeting of rights defenders by non-State actors, which have lead to the deaths of community leaders, lawyers, journalists, women defenders, social activists and many others working to stop discrimination and injustice.    “They do not bear arms, they do not use violence, defenders use only their voices and persistence to challenge injustice peacefully,” said Najat Maalla M''jid, Chair of the Committee representing the UN experts. “However, too often it is human rights defenders themselves who require protection from human rights abuses.”    “In circumstances where it is safer to remain silent, such brave men, women and children have always spoken out; we must ensure that they always will. Their voices must not be silenced,” Ms. Maalla M''jid said.    In a joint statement to mark Human Rights Day, the independent experts of the UN Human Rights Council praise all those individuals and organizations that reveal injustice, discrimination and human rights violations that would otherwise remain hidden: “We could not function without them.”    “The information we receive from them allows us to turn the international spotlight on violations, support and encourage their efforts and their causes, and stand with them as allies,” the group of UN experts stressed. “The concerns that we are able to raise with Governments and in international bodies are often set in motion by a single act of selflessness.”    “However,” warned the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya, “they are often stigmatized and called enemies of the State or terrorists in an attempt to delegitimize their work and activities. Attacks against their work and reputation constitute a very dangerous pattern, which can worsen the already fragile environment in which they operate.”    The group of experts urged States to address the human rights concerns raised by defenders and fulfil their obligation to protect them. They also asked them to respect the defenders’ rights and freedoms, including the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to peaceful assembly and association. In their view, each State should ensure that its policies, institutions and actions, including those of its police and security forces, conform with international human rights norms and standards.    “Ending impunity for attacks against human rights defenders is essential to ensure their security,” Ms. Sekaggya said, underscoring that “in every sphere of human rights, civil, cultural, economic, political or social, the work of human rights defenders is essential.”    The theme for Human Rights Day 10 December 2010 is human rights defenders who act to end discrimination.    Human rights defenders acting against discrimination, often at great personal risk to both themselves and their families, are being recognized and acclaimed on this day.    Human rights defenders speak out against abuse and violations including discrimination, exclusion, oppression and violence.    They advocate justice and seek to protect the victims of human rights violations. They demand accountability for perpetrators and transparency in government action.    In so doing, they are often putting at risk their own safety, and that of their families.    Some human rights defenders are famous, but most are not. They are active in every part of the world, working alone and in groups, in local communities, in national politics and internationally.    Human Rights Day 2010 will highlight and promote the achievements of human rights defenders and it will again emphasize the primary responsibility Governments have to enable and protect their role.    The Day is also intended to inspire a new generation of defenders to speak up and take action to end discrimination in all of its forms whenever and wherever it is manifested.    The story does not end after 10 December 2010. The focus on the work of human rights defenders will continue through all of 2011.    * For more resources and details visit the link below. Visit the related web page
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