RESOLUTION
BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT COLLINS-BELLAMY, MAJORITY LEADER RUBBO, MAJORITY WHIP ROBINSON, MINORITY LEADER BREEN, COUNCILMEMBERS, PINEDA -ISAAC, DIAZ AND MERANTE:
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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF YONKERS RECOGNIZING DECEMBER 10, 2024 AS HUMAN RIGHTS DAY.
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WHEREAS, Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on December 10 of each year; and
WHEREAS, the date of December 10 was chosen to honor the United Nationals General Assembly's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted on December 10, 1948; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, we celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a milestone document that proclaims the inalienable rights which everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status; and
WHEREAS, when the General Assembly adopted the Declaration, it was proclaimed as a "common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations", towards which individuals and societies should "strive by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance"; and
WHEREAS, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is available in more than 500 languages, is the most translated document in the world; and
WHEREAS, the formal inception of Human Rights Day dates from 1950, after the Assembly passed Resolution 423(V) inviting all States and interested organizations to adopt the 10th of December of each year as Human Rights Day; and
WHEREAS, December 10th is an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of human rights in re-building the world we aspire for, the need for global solidarity, and our interconnectedness and shared humanity; and
WHEREAS, under United Nation's Human Rights' generic call to action "Stand Up for Human rights", the goal is to engage the general public to bolster transformative action and showcase practical and inspirational examples that can contribute to recovering better and fostering more resilient and just societies; and
WHEREAS, the theme for Human Rights Day 2024 is “Three Decades of Respect for and Promotion of Human Rights. This theme acknowledges the importance of human rights in everyday life; and
WHEREAS, the United Nation has noted the promise of the UDHR, of dignity and equality rights, has been under a sustained assault in recent years. As the world faces challenges; new and ongoing - pandemics, conflicts, exploding inequalities, morally bankrupt global financial systems, racism and climate change - the values, and rights enshrined In the UDHR provide guideposts for our collective actions that do not leave anyone behind; and
WHEREAS, the UDHR calls upon everyone to stand up for human rights. We all have a role to play. For 75 years, the Declarations mission has been to infuse societies with equality, fundamental freedoms, and justice. It enshrines the right of all human beings and is a global blueprint for international, national, and local laws and policies, and a bedrock of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
WHEREAS, on Human Rights Day, it is important to acknowledge the importance of human rights and vital efforts that must be made to ensure that human rights are protected not only in the City of Yonkers, but throughout the entire world.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of Yonkers recognize the importance of human rights by declaring and recognizing December 10, 2024 as Human Rights Day.