December 10th is International Human Rights Day and the theme this year is ‘Our Right, Our Future, Right Now’ – celebrating how important human rights are to all of us in our day-to-day lives.
The day celebrates the power of human rights and is on the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
Learning Disability England champions Human Rights and the United Nations Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and Good Lives is grounded in human rights.
What makes a good life is specific to each of us, and for all individuals the details are important but we know some general conditions are required for a good life to be possible.
Disabled people were instrumental in drafting the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
It provides a human rights framework detailing those basic conditions. In this respect it outlines a floor, not a ceiling, for the necessary conditions for good life.
Learning Disability England joined The British Insitute of Human Rights (BIHR) and 70+ organisations from across the UK to call on political leaders to stand up for all our human rights.
An open letter has been sent to the Prime Minister and political leaders
It is also available on BIHR’s website, along with a video version of the Easy Read letter.
Update (7/1/2025)
Lord Ponsonby responsed to the Human Rights day letter.
You can read the response here
Learning Disability England members have been talking about why human rights are important and what International Human Rights Day means to them…
Scott Watkin says:
“Human rights are important.
People with learning disabilities are often left out in society and not always treated as human.
We have a right to live the life that we choose with the right support in place.”
Kumudu Perera says:
“We all need to respect each other no matter who we are and no matter our backgrounds. We all need to be treated as human beings not commodities. We all need to set an example in life with no exceptions.”
Jodie Bradley says:
“I say without human rights then, I may not be who I am now. Human rights have given me the chance to be like everyone else like, living independently, having a job and feel valued, make a living and provide for myself and my family. Human rights, everyone should have them and they should be respected.”
Carinder Mahli says:
“Human rights help protect people with disabilities from discrimination and help them to have equality and freedom. They also make sure the voices of people with learning disabilities can be heard. We need to be included and heard in important conversations about policy.”
Shaun Webster says:
“We need human rights. I think we are still seen as second best citizens. We don’t always get treated the way that we should. By the employment and the healthcare system for example. The job I do is to try and make sure other people are getting accessible information to understand their health.
I also think a lack of education about LGBTQ+ issues means my rights as a bisexual man are not always respected either. I think these things should be taught better in schools and people should be taught more about human rights too.
I also worry that other parents with learning disabilities still aren’t being protected. They don’t always get the support they need in fear their children will be taken away. Having learning disabilities does not stop people being good parents and having rights as parents.
It’s days like this that can help raise awareness around human rights, the people who still aren’t getting their human rights respected and the changes that still need to happen. This is why this day is so important for me.”