By Grayson Uckele

December celebrates the world’s most seminal of promises, inalienable human rights. December 10th marks the anniversary of the United Nations’ agreement that all persons are born free and are entitled to certain freedoms. The international law protects a great number of rights including the right to privacy, a healthy standard of living, accessible fundamental education, and equal access to public service. These rights exist regardless of gender, race, nationality, and political beliefs.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides a global roadmap for equality and is widely considered the basis of international human rights law. It was born from the initiative to form more peaceful and sustainable communities. The declaration has had a massive global influence since its publication. It has inspired constitutional provisions, and international treaties.

Human Rights and the American Red Cross

The United Nations’ pledge for human rights has also inspired the mission here, at the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross shares the belief that all people are entitled to inalienable rights even in the event of a disaster. This is why the Red Cross is committed to providing global humanitarian aid to those in need, regardless of gender, race, nationality, political alignment, or class. During an emergency or disaster, the Red Cross supplies blood donations, food, shelter, and comfort. People impacted by disaster are always recognized as human first at the Red Cross. Red Cross shelters are accessible to all.

Those seeking shelter, food, or services are met not only with compassion, but resources to get back on their feet. Red Cross aftermath resources include disaster health, mental health and case workers. The organization also engages in preventative efforts, offering a variety of affordable life-saving training, free smoke alarm installation and community preparedness presentations.

The American Red Cross exists as an independent organization outside of the government and maintains neutrality in political turmoil. The organization has been deployed alongside the U.S. military in every conflict since the Spanish-American War and tends to all combatant’s battle wounds with the same amount of care.

The Red Cross operates with human rights at the forefront of all services. In alignment with the United Nations’ declaration, the Red Cross provides nondiscriminatory pathways towards accessible educational training programs, a healthy standard of living and privacy in emergency scenarios, and most importantly, support to all of those in need.

Human Rights Day 2024

Human Rights Day’s theme this year is “Our Right, Our Future, Right Now,” a call to action. It asks those reading to acknowledge everyday rights as a protective force for good. The theme recognizes hate speech and misinformation as an infringement on human rights and encourages action against breaches in the declaration’s agreement.

The Red Cross celebrates this theme with trained volunteers and staff, credible sources, and reliable information. The organization disavows hate speech and intolerance of any kind with its mission efforts towards accessible services for all. Neutrality and impartiality are cornerstones of the Red Cross mission.

Regardless of religion, political affiliation, race, or nationality, if you are in need, the Red Cross opens its doors.