Eugene marks International Human Rights Day Dec. 10
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Speaker On Dec. 10, 77 years ago, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Speaking Dec. 8 for the Eugene Human Rights Commission, Cynthia Cannon Poindexter:
Cynthia Cannon Poindexter I am here on behalf of your Human Rights Commission. I am standing next to our chair, Dr. Silky Booker.
Every Dec. 10 is Human Rights Day, an international commemoration of the unanimous adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the United Nations in 1948. This document compiled for the first time what local and national governments must do for and must not do to their residents.
The bedrock of this framework is the concept that each and every individual, regardless of status, without exception, has the right to dignity, respect, security, privacy, freedom, and a cultural identity. Human rights are civil, political, economic, social, and cultural. They are innate in and permanent for every human being and designed to protect the most vulnerable among us.
Likewise, Eugene’s city ordinance on human rights acknowledges the worth of each Eugenian and commits to an inclusive and just community. Alarmingly, at this time, locally, nationally, globally, we are once again experiencing grave violations of our human rights.
The people of Eugene have an opportunity on this Human Rights Day to reflect on history, be advocates in the present, and commit to a future where each person is guaranteed the basics needed to sustain life and is treated with dignity and equality on a healthy and peaceful planet. The Eugene Human Rights Commission appreciates your attention to these issues, and we are very grateful for your proclamation for Human Rights Day. Thank you.
Speaker The city’s proclamation during the Dec. 8 meeting said, ‘Eugene is a Human Rights City and acknowledges there is more to be done, as a city in which the fundamental principles of the Universal Declaration inform and guide the daily lives of everyone in our community to the benefit of all.’
