{"id":3851,"date":"2013-12-10T08:30:42","date_gmt":"2013-12-10T12:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hr-pros.ca\/?p=3851"},"modified":"2013-12-09T17:44:16","modified_gmt":"2013-12-09T21:44:16","slug":"international-human-rights-day-is-your-organization-doing-what-needs-to-be-done","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hr-pros.ca\/fr\/international-human-rights-day-is-your-organization-doing-what-needs-to-be-done\/","title":{"rendered":"International Human Rights Day- Is Your Organization Doing What Needs to be Done?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, Tuesday, December 10, 2013 is International Human Rights Day.\u00a0 It is a time for us to reflect upon the human rights we enjoy here in Canada, to advocate for others who do not enjoy these basic rights, and to highlight specific issues of concern wherever they may be found. This year has special significance as it is the 20th<\/sup> anniversary of the establishment of the mandate of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Each year International Human Rights Day has a theme and for 2013 the emphasis is on the future and identifying the challenges that lie ahead in this area. International Human Rights Day commemorates the day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\/a>. The formal inception of Human Rights Day dates from 1950, after the Assembly passed resolution 423 \"download\"<\/a>(V) inviting all countries and interested organizations to adopt 10th<\/sup> December of each year as Human Rights Day. An interesting fact, with a local tie in for those of us in Atlantic Canada, \u00a0is that John P. Humphrey, a native New Brunswicker from Hampton, NB was the author of the first draft of the Declaration! Two points should be noted.\u00a0 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was one of the first major achievements of the United Nations. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is also one of the world\u2019s most translated document into more than 360 language versions- a world record! So what does this mean for your organization? On June 16, 2011 the UN Human Rights Council unanimously endorsed the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, providing a framework for organizations to strengthen their approach to demonstrating respect for human rights. What should you be doing? Just make sure you’ve gotten started! \u00a0The Guiding Principle sets out the basics: You need a policy that speaks to respecting human rights. Even something basic is good as long as it talks to potential human rights impacts in the workplace and the communities in which you do business.<\/p>\n