AUSTRIA, December 9 - Austria supports the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with EUR 2.5 million.

Every year, International Human Rights Day takes place on 10 December, the date on which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. This year, International Human Rights Day is being celebrated under a number of worrying auspices, as both the protection of human rights and upholding the rule of law are under significant pressure around the world. In order to work for the protection and enjoyment of human rights in the lives of all people, the Austrian Foreign Ministry is supporting the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) with a total of EUR 2.5 million.

We are delighted that the Austrian Foreign Ministry and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) are able to provide EUR 2.5 million for the important work of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, 

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg states.

The amount will be going to the Human Rights Advisers Programme of the High Commissioner’s Office, which is currently operating in 54 different locations worldwide.  With EUR 2.5 million, Austria is helping other countries to recognise and implement human rights and strengthen their national capacity for human rights. In doing so, Austria is making a substantial contribution to global human rights and development work.

Human Rights Day is an opportunity to remind people that the realisation of human rights is not only an imperative of human dignity. Rather, it is a cornerstone of democracy, peace and the rule of law!,

explains Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg on the occasion of this day of remembrance.

This year’s Human Rights Day kicks off the year-long campaign under the slogan “Human Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All”, which draws attention to the 75th anniversary of this cornerstone for international human rights protection.

10 December also serves as a special tribute to the courageous efforts of many human rights defenders around the world who, often under the most difficult conditions and at great personal risk, make an immeasurable contribution to the protection of human rights on a daily basis,

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg says, emphasising the importance of civic society engagement in the protection of human rights.

The principles enshrined in the Declaration are as relevant today as they were in 1948. All international mechanisms for the defence of human rights are based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Everyone, regardless of colour, religion, biological sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, wealth, birth or other status, is entitled to the inalienable rights set forth therein.  Human rights are not a matter of course but must be defended time and again.