International Human Rights Day, observed annually on 10 December, marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The United Nations theme in 2024 for International Human Rights Day was “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now”, emphasising the importance and relevance of human rights in our everyday lives and to our collective futures.

On 10 December 2024, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) held a ceremony at the BMICH, under the patronage of Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya, Chairman of the HRCSL, and other commissioners in attendance. Prof. Deepika Udagama, Chair Professor of Law at the University of Peradeniya, attended the ceremony as Chief Guest and delivered the keynote speech on “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now”. Mr. Marc-Andre Franche, the UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka and the Guest of Honour, addressed the gathering on the “UN’s role in promoting and protecting human rights in Sri Lanka”.

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HRCSL Press Notice 17 12 2024 on International Human Rights Day 2024