International Human Rights Day 2020 celebrated with online conference

The Human Rights Directorate within the Ministry for Justice, Equality and Governance organised an online conference on the international day of Human Rights.

The 10th of December 2020 is the anniversary of one of the greatest international accomplishments of the last century, whereby in 1948 countries came together and adopted the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Declaration sets out a broad range of fundamental rights and freedoms to which all persons are entitled, with one clear message – ‘all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.’ It guarantees rights without distinction based on nationality, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, religion, language or any other status, and governments are bound to protect them.

The Human Rights Directorate is at the forefront of human rights discourse, with its responsibility lying in implementing and coordinating policy frameworks in areas of human rights and equality.

Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli opened the event by saying that, in its first year, the von der Leyen Commission adopted five equality strategies and two more are in the pipeline for early next year, to make sure that no one is left behind. She called on member states to adopt equivalent equality strategies at the national level, including on gender equality and mainstreaming, as well as anti-racism.

Minister for Justice, Equality and Governance Edward Zammit Lewis outlined that; “The COVID19 pandemic has magnified the inequalities which already existed, this is all the truer when we look at those who afford health care and those who don’t.

Which is why society must stick to the theme of this year’s Human Rights Day: Recover Better – Stand up for Human Rights.” The Minister stated that we need to work together to stand up for minorities and the victims of society, we cannot accept a rollback where human rights are concerned. “Equality and justice are two sides of the same coin; we cannot have one without the other. Therefore, the undertakings of this administration in favour of human rights are all the more important.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Civil Rights and Reforms Rosianne Cutajar reiterated how the international Human Rights Day remains relevant even today, stressing that even though much has been done in the field of human rights, much remains to be accomplished.

During her speech, Parliamentary Secretary Cutajar also referred to the achievements made in the field of human rights and equality during this year, as well as what lies ahead in the future. She went on to say that it is in the duty of legislators to ensure that laws actually reflect the realities of today’s society and thus ensuring that human rights are protected.

The British High Commissioner Katherine Ward reiterated that the British High Commission is extending its collaboration with the Maltese government to help with its fight against modern slavery and human trafficking. They are looking to share best practices and provide training on victim support, law enforcement, labour exploitation and awareness-raising. She reminded that human rights take a centre stage in their work.

The United States Chargé d’Affaires Gwendolyn S. Green outlined that addressing violence against women is a human rights imperative. Violence threatens women’s and girls’ safety, it sets barriers in their potential to fulfil leadership roles and in their prosperity as individuals.