Romania remains actively engaged in international efforts to uphold and promote human rights, as well as to strengthen societal resilience, key elements for protecting fundamental rights and ensuring people’s well-being, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) said on Wednesday, marking International Human Rights Day.

This year also marks 80 years since the founding of the United Nations and 70 years since Romania joined the UN.

For 75 years, the celebration of International Human Rights Day has raised awareness that respecting and promoting human rights can positively transform societies, enabling every individual to enjoy peace, democracy, and sustainable development. Accordingly, fundamental human rights and freedoms must be protected at all levels of legal systems and by all participants in public life, MAE stressed.

‘This year’s theme for International Human Rights Day is Human Rights: Essential for Us Every Day, reaffirming the universal values of human rights during a period of turbulence, in which many people increasingly experience insecurity, dissatisfaction, and alienation. Amid widespread polarization, escalating humanitarian crises, and global changes affecting all societies, it is essential that the defense and promotion of human rights be encouraged and supported by each state. Romania’s foreign policy actions, as well as its priorities and activities within international organisations, have demonstrated over time our country’s strong commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights,’ MAE said.

Romania continues to actively participate in international initiatives to promote and protect human rights and to strengthen societal resilience, key measures for safeguarding fundamental rights and human well-being.

As a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, Romania confirms its commitment to contributing to the global response to these challenges through coordinated action in all relevant multilateral forums, including the UN, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and other regional organisations.

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The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948, followed by other landmark documents, including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1979), the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984), the Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid (1985), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), among others. Available in 577 languages, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is currently the most translated document in the world.

International Human Rights Day was officially established on 4 December 1950, when the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution inviting all member states and any interested organisations to celebrate the day as they saw fit. AGERPRES