High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission – Kaja Kallas, issued a statement on behalf of the European Union, on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day.
“Every morning across the world, millions of small, unseen acts quietly uphold human dignity. A girl walking to school with confidence because her community protects her safety; a student pursuing their education even when doing so is discouraged or forbidden; a survivor speaking out against violence and finding support; a journalist risking their life to report the truth. These are not grand gestures – they are everyday choices, often made in the face of fear or uncertainty. Together, these everyday choices strengthen our shared commitment to human rights.
Human rights are not only legal commitments set out in international conventions. Human rights are lived, experienced, and often challenged in the routines of daily life: in classrooms, workplaces, public services, and online spaces. They protect how we express, worship, organise, love, and participate in our communities every single day. They belong to everyone, everywhere.
Together, we face rising pressures – from disinformation and democratic erosion to discrimination, inequality, and the horrendous consequences of war. In many parts of the world, not least in Ukraine and elsewhere in the EU’s neighbourhood, millions of civilians strive to survive in the face of aggression.
In these moments, the promise of “everyday human rights” becomes even more vital. It reminds us that rights are not self-sustaining; they require constant attention, courage, solidarity and support. Upholding human rights is a duty borne by all states, allowing each of us to exercise them through the actions we take, the decisions we make and the respect we show to others.
On this Human Rights Day, the EU remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguard human rights at home and abroad, and to ensure peace, truth, justice and accountability. It recalls its unwavering support to the United Nations, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and all its partners across the globe in urging all states to uphold and fulfil their human rights obligations. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
Today, we celebrate the countless individuals whose daily actions make these rights real. Their stories remind us that progress does not happen only in courtrooms or parliaments – it happens when ordinary people choose empathy over indifference, fairness over convenience, courage over silence, and dignity over division.
Let us value the universal rights that protect us and defend the rights that protect others. And let us continue building a world where human rights are lived – every day, by everyone”.
