Shine Your Light for Human Rights

A series of 14 events across seven time zones spotlighting the centrality of rights to the daily lives of people everywhere.

Back

Shine your light for the rights of people on the move

28 November 2018, Bangkok

UDHR Article 1 recognises that “everyone is born free and equal in dignity and in rights”.

People’s rights do not fade when they are on the move, whether within or across borders; whether by choice or under force. This event will shine a light on how best to protect the rights of people on the move and will celebrate the work of those who stand up for the rights of people in flight.


28 November – Dignitaries, representatives from the UN, international organisations, human rights defenders, civil society actors and university students came together to mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) through a film screening and a panel discussion on migration and human rights.

The event was jointly organised by the United Nations Human Rights Regional Office for South-East Asia and the Embassy of Switzerland in Thailand. The celebration themed “Shine your light for the rights of people on the move” was the third instalment in the UN Human Rights global campaign to spotlight the centrality of rights to the daily lives of people everywhere through the Sunrise Initiative.

“[This] event features two leading roles: the Universal Declaration for Human Rights and each individual to which the Declaration offers its protection,” said Mr Ivo Sieber, Ambassador of Switzerland to Thailand.

Hailing the contribution made by the UDHR, the Ambassador said that various conventions established a sophisticated set of instruments for the protection of human rights after the adoption of 30 articles of the Declaration.

Welcoming the gathering, UN Human Rights Deputy Regional Representative Katia Chirizzi mentioned that “The 70th anniversary of the UDHR requires a reflection on its essential urgency and to push back against the haters and enemies of human rights”.

Citing the first article of the UDHR, Ms Chirizzi highlighted that the topic of the event was extremely timely, both globally and in the region and that people’s rights do not fade when they are on the move, whether by choice or under force.


  • I will respect your rights regardless of who you are. I will uphold your rights even when I disagree with you
  • When anyone’s human rights are denied, everyone's rights are undermined, so I will stand up
  • I will raise my voice. I will take action. I will use my rights to stand up for your rights.

people have stood up for human rights

We can all be Human Rights Champions

Tweet, Instagram or YouTube your action using the hashtag #Standup4humanrights.

Spread the word

#Standup4humanrights