Human Rights Day… Improving labor conditions, liberating trade unions, and expediting the release of prisoners of conscience are urgent necessities that cannot tolerate a delay

The international community celebrates Human Rights Day on December 10 every year, commemorating the day when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948.

On this occasion, the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR) renews its call for the immediate release of prisoners of conscience who were arrested for their peaceful activities. Moreover, it demands putting an end to prolonged pretrial detention to prevent it from becoming a punishment. In addition to improving the conditions of detainees, facilitating their visitation procedures in accordance with the law, and ensuring the provision of necessary healthcare during their imprisonment.

The center emphasizes that the Presidential Pardon Committee, formed over a year and a half ago by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, along with National Dialogue sessions and official efforts have contributed to the release of hundreds of detainee which is considered a commendable step. ECESR hopes for the release of more detainees, especially during these challenging economic conditions.

Furthermore, the center calls for improving workers’ conditions, without leaving them to become victims of employers, intervening to reinstate those who have been arbitrarily dismissed from their jobs recently, facilitating and protecting their rights to express and peacefully protest against retaliatory measures by employers. Additionally, expediting the disposition of labor cases, especially given the current economic conditions.

Simultaneously, the center advocates for opening up public sphere, expanding freedom of expression, lifting restrictions on political parties, civil society institutions, journalistic and media entities, and liberating trade unions. In addition, ECESr underscores citizens’ right to peaceful assembly.

Moreover, the center highlights the importance of enhancing efforts to improve economic conditions, eradicate poverty, promote cultural and religious tolerance, advance women’s rights, children’s rights, and the rights of persons with disabilities, along with raising awareness of human rights values in Egypt.

The formal establishment of Human Rights Day occurred at the 317th Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on 4 December 1950, when the General Assembly declared resolution 423(V), inviting all member states and any other interested organizations to celebrate December 10th of each year as a global day for human rights.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights outlines a broad set of fundamental rights and freedoms for everyone, ensuring the rights of each individual everywhere, without discrimination based on nationality, place of residence, gender, national or social origin, race, religion, language, or any other status.

Although the Declaration is not a legally binding document, it has inspired the creation of over 60 human rights principales, collectively forming an international standard for human rights. The unanimous agreement of all United Nations member states further strengthened the foundational human rights outlinemphasizin Declaration, emphasizing the significance of human rights in our daily lives.