December 9, 2025
‘Human rights are our compass in turbulent times — guiding and steadying us through uncertainty,’ UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk.
International Human Rights Day is being observed this Wednesday to commemorate the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on this day in 1948, affirming human rights for all individuals.
If, as I believe, human rights are a compass in turbulent times, then, right now, we badly need them for direction. We live in times where power and wealth are being protected at the expense of those who are vulnerable, those in most need of protection. We are witnessing the spread of authoritarian laws, policies and practices, shrinking civic space, and the erosion of freedoms. Inequality is deepening, and poverty is increasing, and all the while, billionaires are being nourished. Powerful states are undermining the rules-based system, international justice, and multilateralism, with a ‘might is right’ approach that justifies escalating military budgets and plundering aid allocations.
All this strips us of our common dignity…and we must resist! We must work in solidarity for a time where ‘every community has the power, dignity and resources to lead their own future – creating just societies!’ At All We Can, we have recently evolved our values, recognising the centrality of courage at this time. But all our values ring true if we are to resist the current onslaught on our shared human rights:
Love is the oxygen of our movement, enabling meaningful relationships and actions.
Collaboration is working together in solidarity and partnership.
Courage is having the strength to confront barriers holding people back and speaking truth to power.
