International Human Rights Day celebrated

The 63rd International Human Rights Day was celebrated by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka recently at the Asia Foundation Auditorium.

International Jurist Justice C G Weeramantry was the chief guest at the ceremony.

The United Nations Human Rights Day is annually observed on December 10 to mark the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, said the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka chairman Justice Priyantha Perera.

Addressing the gathering Justice Priyantha Perera said, events focused on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are held worldwide. Many events aim to educate people, especially children and teenagers on their human rights and the importance of upholding them in their communities.

HRCSL chairman Justice Perera said the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has already commenced a project to provide proper and in-depth education on human rights to sections of society including children, human rights protectors, Police and the armed forces, politicians and judges. Human Rights Day is an occasion for people worldwide to be aware of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is a time for people to reflect about the meaning, importance and the need for human rights, the HRCSL chairman said.

Justice Priyantha Perera emphasised that human rights are interlinked and independent rights are inherent to all human beings without discrimination. All governments across the world are liable to uphold, express and guarantee the basic human rights, he said.

Providing a proper education to society on human rights is essential, he said.

"It is our primary duty to protect the fundamental rights of all human beings," Justice Perera said.

"We in the Human Rights Commission shall always strive to achieve this noble objective for the greater good of humanity in general," Justice Perera added.

Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Commissioners T Anandarajah, Dr. Ananda Mendis, Dr B de Soysa, HRCSL Officers including S Thngdurai Surendran, Attorney Chandra Ellawala, Additional Secretary Attorney Nimal G Punchihewa also participated in the event.


(2011-12-31/dailynews)