Human Rights Day 2015: What is it and what is the theme for this year?

Human Rights Day is marked annually on 10 December to commemorate the day in 1948 when the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A milestone document in the history of human rights, it sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.

What is the theme for 2015?

The theme for Human Rights Day 2015 is "Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always" – to mark the launch of a one-year campaign commemorating two international treaties adopted 50 years ago: Two Human Rights Covenants are the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both adopted in 1966.
In 2015, the focus is on "freedoms" – recalling the four freedoms that underpin the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and two major human rights covenants, and first articulated in 1941 by President Franklin D Roosevelt in his "four freedoms speech" to the US Congress. The four freedoms are: freedom from fear, freedom of speech, freedom of worship and freedom from want.
The International Bill of Human Rights consists of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its two Optional Protocols.

Human rights facts and figures
In 2014, Amnesty International recorded and investigated human rights abuses in 160 countries and territories around the world. Here are some of the most shocking statistics uncovered:

• War crimes or other violations of the "laws of war" were carried out in at least 18 countries.
• Refugees and migrants were - and still are - at particular risk. More than 3,400 people drowned in the Mediterranean Sea in 2014.
• Armed groups committed abuses in 35 countries.
• Nearly three-quarters of governments, around 119 countries out of 160, arbitrarily restricted freedoms.
• 82% (131 out of 160) of countries tortured or otherwise ill-treated people.

Why do we observe Human Rights Day?
Fifty years ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted two international treaties that would forever shape international human rights – but challenges still remain, and the documents are as relevant today as they were when they were created.
Many countries recognise human rights and the rule of law as the basis for fair and stable societies, but many states still have a lot to do to build political institutions, judicial systems and economics that allow ordinary people to live with dignity. Globally, many people are still unaware of the existence of the International Bill of Human Rights.

Among other problems, there is a growth of hate speech against religious and racial minorities, an ongoing justification of rights violations in the name of combatting terrorism and there is also the reversal of economic and social rights in the name of economic crises or security.

Arase vows to jail trigger-happy police officers within 48 hrs

The Inspector General of Police Mr. Solomon Arase, on Wednesday in Kano declared that any police officer, who shoots innocent civilians would be promptly arrested and arraigned before a court of law within 48 hours.

Arase however warned Divisional Police Officers (DPO) across the country to establish the mental alertness of the officers and men before handing over fire arms to them.
The IG, who was in Kano in familiarization tour of Police formations across the country, also warned police officers from arresting and detaining suspects for more than 24 hours, except in cases of criminal and armed robbery.
He explained that police officers who are armed sometimes shoot innocent people over un-established reasons, which makes it difficult to ascertain the officer’s mental alertness, while discharging their duties, thus discrediting in the image of the force.
He however advised the DPOs in the country to always ascertain the mental alertness of any of the officers to be handed over fire arms, so as to curtail the incidence of ‘accidental discharge’ 

Arase, also cautioned police officers, especially those on patrol to desist from wearing bath room slippers or using horse whips, as well as other indecent conduct on members of the public, adding that a disciplined officer should always uphold ethical standards, which should be their hallmark, while discharging their responsibilities.
However, he expressed dismay on what he described as unprofessional conduct and disrespect by officers and men of the police force for been uncivil and not upholding fundamental human rights when dealing with the public
Arase maintained that the Police Force under his watch must respect the dignity and sanctity of the people, adding that police can only be respected when they exhibit professionalism in their conduct through intelligent evidence before arresting a criminal.
He promised to improve the welfare of Officers and men by granting scholarship scheme to 300 children of inspectors, including rank and file, adding that 36 of such officers have been sent on training.
The IGP approved the immediate promotion of corporal Ibrahim Adamu, who lost his hands during an operation to the rank of sergeant, while he also awarded him the sum of N1 million to defray treatment cost of his hands.
In his remark, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Musa Katsina listed challenges facing the Command to include paucity of funds, inadequate manpower and logistics, as well as the dilapidating nature of the barracks, which is yearning for urgent attention.
The Kano police boss, while outlining his achievements, noted that within three months in office, he recovered over 5,000 cows from cattle rustlers, arrested over 700 suspects, as well as arms and ammunitions in the notorious Falgore forest.
Source: The Nation