Human rights are in focus today! The theme of Human Rights Day 2020 is “Recover Better – Stand Up for Human Rights”. Today we have the possibility to emphasise once again the importance of human rights in today’s world, as well as the need for solidarity and shared humanity.
The General Assembly of the United Nations established 10 December as Human Rights Day in 1950 in order to draw attention of the “peoples of the world” to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights signed 2 years prior to this, as the first comprehensive human rights instrument. The Declaration is the first document in history that proclaims common standards of human rights that all peoples and nations of the world should achieve. “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” states Article 1 of the Declaration.
In order to celebrate this day, we are opening a mobile exhibition titled “Human in Focus” today, which will be on display in public transport vehicles in Belgrade. In partnership with National Geographic Serbia Magazine, the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia organised a photo contest for the best socially engaged photograph taken in Serbia. And this exhibition is the result of that.
We have received over 1,300 photos and chosen 19 best ones. Behind each photograph of this exhibition there is a story about human resilience, solidarity, and creativity during this challenging year. However, there is also a story about how we can face unknown threats with dignity, and how important our families, friends and communities are in overcoming various challenges.
The EU has allocated more than EUR 53 million as support for improving democracy and human rights in Serbia since 2014. The EU actively supports the respect and protection of human rights in Serbia through various programmes – both on national and regional levels.
There are several ongoing projects financed by the EU that are being implemented in cooperation with the Government of Serbia and civil society organisations, with the aim of achieving complete respect and protection of fundamental rights of all citizens, regardless of their age, gender, ability, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
The European Union is cooperating with the Government of Serbia on these projects. The European Union has been the largest donor in Serbia so far and it has donated more funds than all other international donors combined.