Celebrating victories on Human Rights Day

The last week has been extraordinary. So often, we share stories of tragedy and loss; however, the recognition of human rights and dignity and culpability for those who violate it has been invigorating. 

The cultivation of new partnerships, coalition involvement, and a more deliberate advocacy approach is truly paying off!  Your commitment to a more just world is gaining momentum and yielding results.  

On Tuesday, The Biden Administration announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing – later joined by Canada, the United Kingdom, Scotland and New Zealand.

Thursday, the House of Representatives approved the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA).

These victories for human rights suitably occurred leading up to International Human Rights Day. A time for us to acknowledge the humanity that connects us.  A day to promote dignity and remind one another of the rights to which everyone is entitled.

Yesterday, on International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of Victims of the Crime of Genocide and the Prevention of this Crime, the world acknowledged the crucial importance of memorializing and honoring those lost in genocide and mass atrocities.

How better to memorialize the victims than to continue to fight for a world where there are no more victims of these heinous tragedies?

How better to honor the survivors than to help ensure that universal human rights are the norm and not the exception?

Celebrate this week’s victories, take some solace that we are making progress, rest and rejuvenate. And next week, let’s get back to work.