10 December - Human Rights Day - 2018 edition

On the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Cartooning for Peace, an international network of newspaper cartoonists, has joined with the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to stage a travelling exhibition called “Human rights – still some way to go”

“The exhibition highlights the founding principle that we are all born free and equal in dignity and rights. It invites visitors to give practical effect to the vision of hope, freedom and universalism conveyed by the Universal Declaration,” said Commissioner Mijatović. “The exhibition cartoons also pay tribute to all those fighting on the front line to protect human rights”.

With 30 newspaper cartoons, the exhibition reminds us of the relevance of the Universal Declaration against a background in which its values and principles are currently under serious threat.

The preview of the Cartooning for Peace exhibition will take place on 10 December 2018, International Human Rights Day, at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in Paris.

• Read full article: Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and Cartooning for Peace present a preview of the exhibition “Human rights – still some way to go”

“10 December is a key date for human rights. On this day 70 years ago, the United Nations General Assembly, meeting in Paris, adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 70 years on, I am pleased, in my capacity as Chair of the Committee of Ministers, to celebrate this anniversary.

The principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights laid the foundations for the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights worldwide. The swift action of the Council of Europe has given these principles concrete legal backing, with the European Convention on Human Rights adopted in 1950, and the establishment of the European Court of Human Rights some years later.

In the course of its history, the Council of Europe has constructed and continues to develop a close-knit network of human rights mechanisms and standards, aiming at covering all the areas where human rights are challenged by existing and emerging threats. The Council’s work of standard-setting continues at the present day. During its Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, Finland will continue working tirelessly with the member States and all other partners, including with civil society, to reinforce and advance the safeguarding of human rights on our continent.

European countries have long been at the forefront in defending human rights but, today, these rights and liberties that we may have taken for granted are challenged. The promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights, which make up the Council of Europe's fundamental values, are our collective responsibility and more necessary than ever.”