Human Rights Day 2026 is on Thursday

About Human Rights Day

Human Rights Day honors the principle that every person is entitled to the same basic rights and freedoms, whatever their race, color, sex, language, religion, political views, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. The UN, governments, courts, schools and human rights groups use the day to take stock of progress and to point to places where rights are under threat.

The date commemorates December 10, 1948, when the UN General Assembly, meeting in Paris, proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its 30 articles set out, for the first time, fundamental rights to be protected for everyone. On December 4, 1950, the Assembly adopted resolution 423 (V), inviting all states and interested organizations to observe December 10 each year as Human Rights Day.

The UN Human Rights Office leads the yearly observance and sets its theme. According to the UN, the declaration is available in more than 570 languages, making it the most translated document in the world. December 10 is also the day the Nobel Peace Prize is presented each year.

Sources: United Nations: Human Rights Day, UN Digital Library: General Assembly resolution 423 (V) (1950). How we check dates.

How to mark Human Rights Day

• Read the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; it is short and free to read on the UN website in hundreds of languages.
• Choose one article of the declaration and talk about what it means in your community with family, students or coworkers.
• Write to an elected official about a human rights issue you care about.
• Support a human rights organization with a donation, volunteer time or letters on behalf of people who are unjustly detained.
• Attend a local talk, film screening or exhibit on civil or human rights history.

Human Rights Day dates