The 67thedition of the International Day of Human Rights has been celebrated in Yaounde by the National Commission of Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF) and its partners. The weeklong events culminated with the closing ceremony chaired by the President of the NCHRF, Dr. Divine Chemute Banda, who enjoined each and every one to promote and respect human rights.

While launching the global campaign under the theme “Our Rights. Our freedoms; Always”, Dr Chemuta said the International Human Rights Day not only offers the opportunity to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but especially to reaffirm its relevance, given the current challenges facing humanity such as terrorism, global warming, poverty, conflict amongst others.

He stressed that the theme chosen by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for the celebration, aimed at encouraging people to know, protect and demand respect for their human rights and fundamental freedoms. The campaign will culminate in 2016 with the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

The message of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights was also presented during the event that was marked by a visit to the Yaounde Central Prison and a symposium on the theme “Objectives of the sustainable development: stakes, challenges and perspectives”.