Human Rights Day 2025: How Everyday Actions Make a Difference

The 10^th of December marks the International Human Rights Day, and this year’s theme is “Our Everyday Essentials”. This theme aims to reaffirm the values of human rights and re-engage people with human rights by showing how they shape our daily lives, even in ways we do not notice. In a period of turbulence and unpredictability, the focus on the “everyday” depicts human rights not as an abstract idea, but the essentials people rely on in their daily lives.

Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), described this theme as a way to “reconnect with human rights, remembering that they are about people – about their needs, wants and fears, as well as their hopes and aspirations”. This year’s Human Rights Day focuses on bridging the gap between human rights principles and everyday experiences, aiming to spark awareness, inspire confidence and encourage collective action.

The three emphases of the campaign are human rights that are: positive, essential and attainable. Whether it’s by having a roof over one’s head, having access to food and water, or living in protected peace, human rights bring joy, happiness and safety into daily life. They are also a common ground that unites people across differences of race, gender, belief, or background. When the world is full of uncertainty, rights such as the right to safety, to speak freely, and to participate in decisions become crucial. Human rights are also in the small, everyday choices people make. Treating others with respect, speaking up against unfairness, and listening to those whose voices are often ignored are everyday choices, and the bedrock of building a culture of dignity and fairness. These efforts are further amplified through collective action of communities, movements, and nations coming together.

Human rights can be achieved by individuals acting consciously about their decisions. As we mark Human Rights Day, the theme “Our Everyday Essentials” is a reminder that human rights begin with each of us, in the choices we make every day, and in our shared commitment to building a more just and humane world.

Read more about the Human Rights Day here.