Highlights

Take a closer look at some of the events and stories taking place across the world to stand up for human rights.

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Celebrating COVID-19 Frontline Heroes

Frontline workers have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis has laid bare issues of gender equality and racial justice, and public participation. This online event, hosted by the New York Office of UN Human Rights, will showcase the contribution the heroes of the pandemic are making to achieving the rights of others and underline the fact that they have rights themselves.

Join us to hear from people working to make human rights a reality around the globe. The event includes personal testimony from health workers in Thailand and Guatemala, and women’s support network leaders in Nigeria and Egypt. It also features a mask-maker, an advocate for the elderly and refugees, an educator and a performer from Spain, Poland, Jamaica and the United States.

The event will begin with an opening address by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, followed by remarks by Carmelyn P. Malalis, Chair and Commissioner of the New York City Commission on Human Rights, and closing comments from Ilze Brands Kehris, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights.

The event video will be available on-demand on UN Human Rights YouTube channel and webtv.un.org from 2:00 pm EST on December 10.


  • 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.

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#Standup4humanrights