Statement by the Secretary General dr. Mantas Adomėnas on

Human Rights Day

Each year, Human Rights Day serves as a reminder of the inherent dignity and equal rights of all individuals. It is a day to honour inspiring human rights defenders who have the courage to stand up to human rights violations and fight for a fair and equal world, where fundamental freedoms of every individual are fulfilled, upheld, and protected.

Despite tremendous progress in human rights protection, for millions of people worldwide human rights abuses are a grim reality of their daily life. Authoritarian regimes impose repressive measures against their own citizens, peaceful protesters in many countries are met with harsh repressions, activists and journalists face arbitrary detentions. Lives of the people in conflict zones are shattered by unimaginable violence and human suffering.

Respect and protection of human rights lies at the heart of the Community of Democracies’ work and shared values enshrined in the Warsaw Declaration, which calls for “all human rights – civil, cultural, economic, political, and social – to be promoted and protected, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant human rights instruments.”

In line with its mission to advance democracy worldwide, the CoD works with governments, civil society partners and young activists to protect and defend fundamental rights and freedoms. Countering authoritarian regimes to safeguard human rights principles remains a vital part of this mission.