2023 theme: Universal means everyone

2023 marks the 75^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The creation of this foundational document was a milestone in international human rights recognition and paved the way for every treaty, mechanism, and piece of legislation which has come since, at international, federal, and state levels – including Queensland’s own Human Rights Act.

At the core of the UDHR, the Queensland Act, and everything in between, is the concept that human rights are universal.

The first sentence of the UDHR’s preamble refers to the ‘recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family’ as the ‘foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world’.

The preamble to Queensland’s Human Rights Act echoes these as priorities for ‘all human beings’.

Universal human rights means just that – human rights for all.

All is a simple word to understand but it can be a challenging concept when it comes to human rights.

Universal human rights means human rights for people from opposing sides of conflicts or arguments. People with different beliefs or world views. People you might disapprove of, people who have committed crimes, people with disability or illness or addiction, people in disability or aged care.

Universal means everyone.

Human rights aren’t just about individual people. Recognising the rights we all hold helps bring the community together and reflect our shared values, like freedom and respect, as a foundation for helping address the challenges we all face.

When we treat everyone with dignity and respect, everyone is better off.