News

Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Senators Chris Coons (D-DE.), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Todd Young (R-IN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), John Boozman (R-AK), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and U.S. Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA-47) in introducing resolutions in the United States Senate and House of Representatives honoring Human Rights Day and the 70^th anniversary of the United Nations’ ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 
 
The full text of the resolution is below.
 
Designating December 10, 2018, as ‘‘Human Rights Day’’ and recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
 
Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948, represents the first comprehensive agreement among countries as to the specific rights and freedoms of all human beings;
 
Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights upholds the basic principles of liberty and freedom enshrined in the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights;
 
Whereas the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (known as the ‘‘Declaration on Human Rights Defenders’’) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 9, 1998;
 
Whereas awareness of human rights—
 
(1) is essential to the realization of fundamental freedoms;
 
(2) promotes equality;
 
(3) contributes to preventing conflict and human rights violations; and
 
(4) enhances participation in democratic processes;
 
Whereas Congress has a proud history of promoting human rights that are internationally recognized; and
 
Whereas December 10 of each year is celebrated around the world as ‘‘Human Rights Day’’: Now, therefore, be it
 
Resolved, That the Senate—
 
(1) designates December 10, 2018, as ‘‘Human Rights Day’’;
 
(2) recognizes—
 
(A) the 70th anniversary of the Universal  Declaration of Human Rights; and
 
(B) the 20th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (known as the ‘‘Declaration on Human Rights Defenders’’);
 
(3) reaffirms the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
 
(4) supports the right of human rights defenders all over the world to promote the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and
 
(5) encourages the people of the United States—
 
(A) to observe Human Rights Day; and
 
(B) to continue a commitment to upholding freedom, democracy, and human rights around the globe.