On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Paris. Through 30 articles, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights addresses civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights universally. As a result, December became known as Human Rights Month and December 10 as Human Rights Day.

“Many of us thought that lack of standards for human rights the world over was one of the greatest causes of friction among the nations,” said Eleanor Roosevelt, United Nations Human Rights Commission chairperson. “And that recognition of human rights might become one of the cornerstones on which peace could eventually be based.” To inspire and motivate people around the world for peace, Roosevelt believed that UDHR would provide the moral force to support and encourage respect for human rights and prevent war. Although the UDHR passed, it was not legally binding and lacked measurements.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch represent two recognized international research organizations that investigate and report global human rights abuses. Since 2025, both organizations continue to sound the alarm about human rights abuses in the United States of America.

The alarm relates to immigrants, democracy, weaponization of government against political enemies, cuts to foreign aid, and fueling authoritarianism.

Through investigative research, Human Rights Watch noted that immigration raids and mass arrests distressed and overwhelmed asylum seekers. This included the disappearance of Venezuelan nationals to an infamous prison in El Salvador. Additionally, Human Rights Watch raised concerns about civil rights and other anti-discrimination protections that compromised democracy, threatened charitable tax status through nefarious criminal investigations of political opponents, and fueled authoritarianism through misinformation in the U.S. State Department’s annual report on human rights around the world.

“Together, we can use our influence,” argues Ken Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch. “From advocating with world leaders to sharing the truth of what’s happening on the ground — to help stop repression around the world.”

This is not the time to be silent or indifferent, aloof or exclusive, or dismissive and lacking compassion. Rather, it is time to be vigilant and view human rights as an everyday essential.