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🔷 Timeline of Human Rights Events

📅 1948 – Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December, establishing a common standard of fundamental rights for all.

📅 1966 – ICCPR & ICESCR Adopted

Two key international treaties adopted to give legal force to the rights in the UDHR.

📅 1994 – End of Apartheid in South Africa

Democratic elections mark a turning point in global human rights history, led by Nelson Mandela and the struggle for racial equality.

📅 2000 – UN Millennium Declaration

Set the foundation for global development with a strong focus on eradicating poverty and promoting equality.

📅 2015 – Adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Including Goal 16: "Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions".

📅 18 April 2018 – Founding of the Universal Rights Association (URA)

URA is officially established in Johannesburg, South Africa, to promote justice, equality, and human dignity on a global scale.

📅 2020 – URA Launches 'Right to Food: The Sandwich Project'

A grassroots initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic providing food and hope to vulnerable communities.

📅 2022 – URA Participates in Constitution Hill Human Rights Festival

Featured panels on school dropout crisis, migration, and refugee rights.

📅 April 5 – International Lawyers’ Day in Türkiye

A day URA commemorates by standing in solidarity with persecuted legal professionals.

📅 June 20 – World Refugee Day

URA hosts talks, exhibitions, and awareness campaigns to spotlight the rights of displaced persons.

📅 December 10 – Human Rights Day

Celebrating the UDHR, URA publishes an annual reflection on human rights progress and challenges.

Universal Rights Association (URA) – Mission Statement

The Universal Rights Association (URA) is a South Africa-based independent, non-governmental organization committed to the protection and promotion of universal human rights, justice, and dignity. Founded in 2018, URA works to address injustice, inequality, and oppression by engaging in legal advocacy, human rights monitoring, and community empowerment at both local and international levels.

Rooted in the principle of our shared humanity, URA’s mission is to:

  • Promote access to justice and the rule of law for all individuals, particularly vulnerable and marginalized groups;

  • Monitor and document human rights violations to support accountability and reform;

  • Engage in constructive dialogue with governments, civil society, and international bodies to advance universal human rights standards;

  • Educate communities and empower individuals to know, claim, and defend their rights; and

  • Foster peace, unity, and mutual understanding across cultures and societies.

Through partnerships, legal interventions, and public awareness campaigns, URA strives to be a voice for the voiceless and a defender of fundamental freedoms in line with the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other international human rights instruments.

Objectives and Activities of the Universal Rights Association (URA)

Objectives:
The Universal Rights Association (URA) aims to:

  1. Promote and protect fundamental human rights and freedoms in accordance with international law.

  2. Advocate for justice, equality, and the rule of law, particularly in contexts of repression or systemic discrimination.

  3. Support victims of human rights violations through legal assistance, advocacy, and international engagement.

  4. Raise awareness about human rights issues through education, campaigns, and community outreach.

  5. Contribute to global efforts toward peacebuilding, democratic governance, and accountability.

Activities:

  • Human Rights Documentation: URA monitors, verifies, and publishes reports on violations such as arbitrary detention, torture, and repression of civil society actors.

  • Legal Advocacy: URA submits legal opinions, communications, and shadow reports to UN bodies, including the Human Rights Council and treaty mechanisms.

  • Community Education: The organization conducts workshops, public forums, and training programs on rights awareness and civic responsibility.

  • International Collaboration: URA engages with NGOs, diplomatic missions, and UN agencies to build partnerships and amplify marginalized voices.

  • Emergency Response and Solidarity: In urgent cases, URA mobilizes support networks and public advocacy to assist individuals or communities at risk.

Through these activities, URA works to uphold the dignity of all individuals and contribute meaningfully to the global human rights movement.

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