Dec. 10th to witness International Human Rights Day

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq (SRSG),  Ad Melkert, and Iraq‘s Minister of Human Rights, Wijdan Salim, will be presiding over a ceremony on Friday 10 December 2010 at the Headquarters of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) in west Baghdad’s Green Zone. “The Human Rights Day celebration will include addresses from SRSG Melkert and Minister Salim, in addition to drama and music performances by the Iraqi School Children and People with Disabilities,” according to a statement that landed in IraqiNews.com News Agency on Wednesday. “This year’s celebration of the Human Rights Day, a day set aside to foster understanding of and respect for human rights,  is being organized by UNAMI in partnership with the Ministry of Human Rights of the Government of Iraq,” the statement said. Human Rights Day is celebrated annually on 10 December, the “birthday” of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “This year’s motto is “Speak up – Stop discrimination”, to be celebrated in Iraq with the aim of inspiring all Iraqis to speak up and take action to end discrimination in all its forms whenever and wherever it is manifested,” the statement said.. On Friday 10 December, a global call will be renewed for justice and protection of victims of human rights violations, for accountability of perpetrators, and for transparency in government action. SKH/SR 1