The EU celebrates Human Rights Day

10 December is Human Rights Day, a day to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 66 years ago.

On the occasion of this special day EU High Representative Federica Mogherinideclared: "This year's theme for International Human Rights Day - Human Rights 365- reflects the aspiration that each one of us, everywhere at all times is entitled to the full range of human rights."

This reflects the priorities of the European External Action Service which has made human rightsa core objective. Over the past two years we have appointed an EU Special Representative, Stavros Lambrinidis i, and adopted a Strategic Framework for Human Rights and Democracy to ensure that human rights are at the centre of our policies around the world.

The European External Action Serviceadvocates human rights in over 40 dialogues with countries around the globe and we also work closely with the UN. We also support human rights defendersaround the world to ensure that those who have the courage to stand up for human dignity are supported and protected. This is why we will continue to stand alongside activists such as Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthiwho have been awarded the Nobel Peace prize today.

Find out more:

Declaration by High Representative Federica Mogherini on behalf of the European Union on Human Rights Day

Statement of the High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi

Free Razan Zaitouneh: Syrian human rights activist & 2011 Sakharov Prize Laureate

The EU and human rights