MWE Correspondent
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has reminded the world that human rights are not distant principles but fundamental parts of daily life.
In his global message marking International Human Rights Day, Türk said people often recognise the value of their rights only when those rights are violated.
Speaking on December 10, 2025, the UN rights chief emphasised that despite cultural and political differences, people everywhere share the same basic aspirations — safety, dignity and freedom. “Human rights are woven into our daily existence to the point that we notice them only when they are taken away,” he said. “No matter who we are, where we live or what we do, we all long for the same things: security, dignity and freedom.”
Türk warned that violations in any part of the world affect everyone, reinforcing the idea that human rights are universal and interconnected. He stressed that an attack on rights in one region weakens protections everywhere, urging nations and communities to stand together in defending global freedoms.
He added that safeguarding human rights is not the responsibility of governments alone. Communities, organisations and individuals also have a role in promoting awareness, supporting vulnerable groups and challenging discrimination. “When rights are denied to one group, the impact extends far beyond borders. We have a shared duty to protect the rights of all,” he said.
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The High Commissioner also linked human rights to everyday essentials — access to education, clean water, safety, healthcare and opportunities for a decent life. He noted that these rights are not luxuries but foundations on which peaceful, fair and stable societies are built.
This year’s Human Rights Day comes at a time when global crises, inequality, conflict and repression continue to undermine freedoms in many parts of the world. Türk urged the international community to recommit to the shared values enshrined in documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, describing it as a guide for protecting people everywhere.
He also highlighted the centrality of human dignity as the “heart of the human rights vision,” reminding nations that every individual deserves respect and equal treatment regardless of nationality, beliefs or social status.
As part of the annual global observance of International Human Rights Day, Türk urged governments and citizens to reflect on how far the world has come — and how far it still has to go — in ensuring that rights are respected, protected and fulfilled.
With a call for stronger unity and global responsibility, the UN rights chief concluded by urging the world not to take human rights for granted, stressing that their protection requires constant commitment, vigilance and collective action.
