Human Rights Day
10 December
Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home — so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. […] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger “
Eleanor Roosevelt
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December — the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): a milestone document proclaiming the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
Around the world, children are showing us their strength and leadership advocating for a more sustainable world for all. Let’s build on advances and re-commit to putting children first. For every child, every right.
World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.
November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General
Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child . It is also the date in 1989
when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child .
Since 1990, World Children’s Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN
General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on children’s rights.
Mothers and fathers, teachers, nurses and doctors, government leaders and civil society
activists, religious and community elders, corporate moguls and media professionals, as
well as young people and children themselves, can play an important part in making
World Children’s Day relevant for their societies, communities and nations.

This year, the twenty-ninth day of October 2019 coincides with the annual celebration of “Cyrus the Great Day” by Iranian people and many friends of culture across the globe. In 2005, the Pasargad Heritage Foundation – the first international NGO for preservation of the cultural heritage of Iran- that introduced the idea. At the time, Cyrus’ mausoleum in Iran- a monument registered on the UNESCO’s world heritage list – was in danger of being inundated and eventually destroyed. However, the hard work of this Foundation and timely intervention of UNESCO, human rights activists and organizations removed the danger and led to a world-wide recognition of Cyrus’ seminal contribution to the survival of our common human civilization.

By Amil Imani
October 29th has been designated as the international day of Cyrus the Great. It is indeed fascinating that after 2500 years, people still remember this trailblazer King for his action as well as his deeds which was revolutionary during his time. Cyrus’s fame reached beyond his territory for his tolerance towards the countries and nations he subdued. It is cited time and again that he allowed people in his kingdom freedom of religion, freedom of worship and freedom to do as the please. After he entered the Babylon, he behaved respectfully towards Babylonian God Marduk. As one example, upon the conquest of Babylon itself, it’s recorded that he paid homage at the temple of the Babylonian god Marduk – thereby gaining the support of the Babylonian people and minimizing further bloodshed.
An illustration of the benevolent beliefs and practices launched by this unsurpassed
historical figure goes back to the landmark action of King Cyrus the Great of Persia. The
writer of the human rights charter, freed the “enslaved” Jews in Babylon and helped them
financially and by any means available at his deposal go to their Jerusalem, build their
temple, lead a peaceful life and worship their God without harming others or forcing them
to become Zoroastrian. The wise king realized instead of being demanding and risking rebellions, he learned how to compromise with his people, and bestowed upon them the basic human rights including freedom without losing control over his vast empire which eventually led to one of the greatest empires built to this day. It is precisely for this reason and his visionary leadership that his spiritual children celebrate his day with utmost pride.
Iranian civilization and its culture undoubtedly has marked a significant era in the history
of the world. In addition, to get a better picture of how the events ensued, we need to
briefly address Persia’s history and unravel some of its perplexing names and origins.
Some 2,500 years ago, the Persian Empire ascended to power and became an Aryan,
meaning the land of Iran. Cyrus the Great (Cyrus II), an Achaemenian King founded the
Persian Empire in the sixth century BCE by the unification of the two Aryan tribes, the
Medes and the Persians. In that medieval era, Persia controlled an empire that stretched
from Europe’s Balkan Peninsula in the West to India’s Indus Valley in the East. It was the
largest empire the world has ever known to that point.
Iran has always been a diverse empire. From the dawn of its inception to its current
existence. Diversity has always been its strength. They are the people who have given Iran its enduring strength and continuity throughout the ages. Those natives include Persians, Azaris, Kurds, Balochis, Turkmen, Gilakis, Mazandaranis, Lurs and more. For millennia, these Iranian patriots have all pledged their allegiance to Iran as an idea and a country that they all have shaped and contributed to its lofty culture and beauty. Iran has been a unified nation for thousands of years. I can attest that many Iranians consider themselves to be the spiritual children of Cyrus the Great and adherents to his Charter—the first Charter of Human Rights—that clearly proclaims equal rights and is worthy of the beliefs and practices of all people.
Because of what Cyrus did 2500 years ago, a truly groundbreaking action, Cyrus the Great belongs to all humanity who believe in tolerance towards one another.
We believe, being Iranian is defined by a state of mind, not by a place of residence.
Iranians are proud spiritual descendants of King Cyrus the Great, the author of the first
charter of human rights. Some of Cyrus’ children live in the patch of land called Iran. The
overwhelming majority—free humans with human beliefs—live in every country, city, and
village of the earth. These world-wide people, one and all, irrespective of nationality, color,
or creed are Iranians because they all adhere to the Cyrus Charter, they practice and
defend its lofty tenets, and, transfer this precious humanity’s treasure to the next
generation.
As Iranians, we are optimistic that very soon to take stock of our present condition and to
renew our resolve and to do all we must in our power to rescue Iran from the suffocating
quagmire that has stifled our people and return our nation to its rightful historic place: A
place in the vanguard of a civilized world where justice and liberty rule supreme for the
entirety of humanity.

The United Nations’ (UN) World Population Day is annually observed on July 11 to reaffirm the human right to plan for a family. It encourages activities, events, and
information to help make this right a reality throughout the world.

World Population Day aims to increase people’s awareness about various population issues such as the importance of family planning, gender equality, poverty, maternal health, and human rights. The day is celebrated worldwide by business groups, community organizations, and individuals in many ways. Activities include seminar discussions, educational information sessions, and essay competitions.

Background
In 1968 world leaders proclaimed that individuals had a basic human right to determine
freely and responsibly the number and timing of their children. About 40 years later
modern contraception remains out of reach for millions of women, men, and young
people. World Population Day was instituted in 1989 as an outgrowth of the Day of Five
Billion, marked on July 11, 1987. The UN authorized the event as a vehicle to build an
awareness of population issues and the impact they have on development and the
environment.

Since then, with the United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) encouragement,
governments, non-governmental organizations, institutions, and individuals organize
various educational activities to celebrate the annual event.