Statement of Vice President Leni Robredo on Human Rights Day

Today, we celebrate International Human Rights Day on the 72nd anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This is a reaffirmation of the common humanity that binds us all, and a renewal of our shared commitment to build a world where everyone is free and equal in dignity and rights.

Human rights have always had the character of both declaration and aspiration. Upholding every person's rights and dignity does not end with token recognition, but requires work and struggle for their full realization.

And in this time of crisis, when it is often tempting to brush aside human rights in pursuit of expediency, that struggle becomes even more important. Fighting for the rights of the voiceless, the powerless, the unpopular, or even simply those on the other side of an increasingly vicious political divide, has never been more difficult, but also, never more critical.

Sa pagtataguyod sa mga karapatan natin, nabubuo ang pagmamalasakit, ang pananagutan para sa isa’t isa, ang pakikipagkapwa. Ito mismo ang landas tungo sa isang better normal: Pulling together through the acknowledgment of the worth and dignity of every individual. As this year’s theme reminds us: We need to stand up for human rights if we are to recover better.

Nawa'y patuloy nating kilalanin, tangkilikin — at tuwing kinakailangan, ipaglaban— ang Karapatang Pantao ng bawat isa, sa araw-araw nating mga gawain.

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