Human Rights Day Statement from Elisa Massimino

Washington, DC – Today, as the world pauses to recognize Human Rights Days and mark the 62nd anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Human Rights First President and CEO Elisa Massimino issued the following statement:

“Today we celebrate human rights defenders around the world who labor each day to make the promise of the Declaration of Human Rights a reality. Some, including this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo, have sacrificed their own freedom as a result of their efforts to secure basic human rights and freedoms for the oppressed. Others, including this year’s Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award recipients Sarah Cleto Rial, Wade Henderson, the late Professor Louis Henkin and his wife Alice Henkin have inspired countless men and women here in the United States and around the globe to live each day in a way that will benefit the world around them for generations to come. On this anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Human Rights, may we all celebrate the achievements of those human rights leaders who have been honored today by rededicating ourselves to the work that lies ahead and to fulfilling the promise of securing dignity and freedom for all.”