On December 10th, 1948 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR) was adopted by the UN General Assembly.
The UNDHR marked a milestone in the development of human rights law and helped inspire other human rights protections globally. Canada was instrumental in the creation of the UNDHR, and we have since adopted several human rights mechanisms at both the federal and provincial level, including the Canadian Human Rights Act in 1977, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982, and the BC Human Rights Code in 1973. Human rights law is considered a bedrock of Canadian society, and the UNDHR helped make this possible.
December 10th is now designated as International Human Rights day to celebrate the achievements that have been made in protecting human rights since 1948. It also serves as a reminder of the work that remains to be done. Canada and British Columbia are more inclusive than they once were, but there is still room for improvement. People with disabilities continue to face various barriers to their full participating in civic society; Indigenous persons continue to experience racism when accessing health services; women continue to be paid less than men for similar work. Much progress has been made since December 10th, 1948, but the need to protect human rights continues.
The Vancouver Island Human Rights Coalition (VIHRC) is committed to carrying on the work of protecting human rights in BC. VIHRC provides advocacy, support, and human rights education throughout Vancouver Island to further the goals of the BC Human Rights Code and work towards a more inclusive society. This work takes various forms, ranging from filing complaints with the BC Human Rights Tribunal or Canadian Human Rights Commission to offering online webinars on the scope of human rights in BC. Compassion and accessibility are central to both our advocacy and educational services because human rights mechanisms are not straightforward.
The underlying goal behind this work remains the same as it was in 1948: to create a more just world in which individuals’ rights are protected. Much progress has been made since 1948, but International Human Rights Day is a good reminder that more can be done. We all have a role to play in ensuring that human rights are protected, especially during a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened inequality. If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, please reach out.
You can contact VIHRC at 1-250-382-3012, contactvihrc@gmail.com, or via social media.
Tag your International Human Rights Day 2020 social media with #HumanRightsDay and #StandUp4HumanRights to join the conversation.
Disclaimer
The VIHRC blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice.