HUMAN RIGHTS DAY (Dec. 10):
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE OF FAITH
TO AFFIRM WHAT WE BELIEVE

Though there are many differences among various faith groups, there are several beliefs that are held in common. One of the most important is that all human beings have dignity and worth that should be honored and respected. For people of faith who have worked to end torture, this belief has inspired and informed us as we do our work. In 1945 when the United Nations was created, its charter, undoubtedly influenced by this religious principle, affirmed the "dignity and worth of the human person."

On December 10, 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which affirmed this basic tenet of the UN charter. The nations of the world and several faith groups now celebrate December 10 as Human Rights Day.

NRCAT encourages its supporters to integrate the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the commitment of nations to end torture forever as a part of worship services and other activities leading up to and during the weekend of December 9-11, 2011.

  Will your congregation participate? Please tell us what you're planning!

The following materials can be adapted for use throughout the year.

RESOURCES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

• Bulletin Insert – Includes an interfaith prayer and information on the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). Download the bulletin insert.
  
• Worship materials – Prayers and suggestions for integrating these concerns into sermons.
• Collect endorsements – Collect endorsements in your congregation and elsewhere in support of a statement calling on the U.S. to sign OPCAT - a treaty that requires a nation to set up mechanisms that assure that torture will never take place any place in that nation. To help you collect endorsements, we have a petition-style form for gathering hand written endorsements and a single-page format of the Statement on OPCAT. Background information, FAQ, and more information on OPCAT.
• Send a letter of support and encouragement to a torture survivor – Your congregation has the opportunity to reach out to a member of the Torture Abolition and Survivor Support Coalition (TASSC) who has found refuge here in the United States.
• Preventing Torture Everywhere – video and discussion guide, featuring testimony from torture survivors, along with background information about OPCAT. Watch the video, order the DVD and download resources.

Interfaith Resources

• An interfaith prayer for Human Rights Day

Jewish Resources

• Rabbis for Human Rights-North America: Human Rights Shabbat
  Resources include prayers, sample sermons, children's programs, and text studies.

Muslim Resources

• "Islam Condemns Torture" a Khutba (sermon) by Sheikh Abdool Rahman Khan, Religious Scholar at the Islamic Foundation in Villa Park, Illinois.
• A press release from the ICNA Council for Social Justice.
  

Christian Resources
Dec. 11 is the third Sunday in Advent. You might incorporate Human Rights Day into your candle lighting service – for example, see a liturgy from the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. Or you could include a petition in the prayers of the people. For prayers you can use or adapt for your church, go to our Christian prayers for Human Rights Day page.

Unitarian Universalist Resources

In collaboration with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, NRCAT has developed some additional programming and resources specifically for Unitarian Universalist congregations.

INFORMATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
In 1945 when the United Nations was created, its charter affirmed the "dignity and worth of the human person."

On December 10, 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which affirmed this basic tenet of the UN charter. There are 30 short articles in the UDHR. The first article states, "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and human rights." The third article adds, "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person."

Article 5 states clearly, "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." So the prohibition against torture derives from the agreement by the nations in the UN that the religious principle of honoring the dignity of human beings is an underlying principle for both nations and individuals. Thirty-six years later, on December 10, 1984, the UN General Assembly adopted the text of the Convention Against Torture, an international treaty ratified by the U.S. in 1994. The nations of the world and several faith groups celebrate December 10 as Human Rights Day. December 10, 2011 will be the 63rd anniversary of the signing of the UDHR.