Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10 to acknowledge the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. Over the next year, the United Nations will be marking the 70th anniversary of this landmark occasion in 2018. But we cannot take human rights for granted. We must act to lift up those who are still marginalized in our communities and around the world.
2017 has seen an eruption of far-right politics dedicated to rolling back every hard-won human rights victory of the last century. The racism and misogyny at the core of the Trump Presidency has sparked new waves of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, colonialism, ableism, homophobia and transphobia. Regrettably Canada including the Prairies has not been immune and we are seeing increased instances in our communities.
That is why it is more important today than ever to stand for what we know is right.
PSAC is committed to fighting back against the far-right, and moving forward on the issues that matter. We support Indigenous rights, and call on Parliament to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We will continue to work for trans rights and to end gender-based violence, highlight the need to increase accessibility and remove barriers for people with disabilities and call out instances of racism.
The struggles we face can feel overwhelming. But now is precisely the time to organize, act and speak out for a better world for all.
In solidarity,