British Embassy marks International Human Rights Day
The British Embassy Vientiane celebrated Human Rights Day with a social media campaign and a reception.
The International Human Rights Day is celebrated across the world on 10 December. It marks the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948. This year, International Human Rights Day also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the opening of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The British Embassy Vientiane is joining the worldwide celebrations by running Human Rights campaign on its social media channels. Under the title Human Rights Are No Privilege, the British Embassy will post messages throughout the day on selected human rights topics on both Facebook and Twitter. The posts reflect the official status of human rights issues in the Lao PDR, showcasing UN Conventions and international agreements that the country has so far signed. See a summary of all posts on the embassy’s Facebook page.
At a press conference with the EU Delegation to Laos and the German and French Embassies, Ambassador Malone made a statement with European Union Chargé d’Affaires Michel Goffin, French Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Marie Keller and German Ambassador Robert von Rimscha on the joint European value of human rights.
After the press conference, the ambassadors met Lao government and non-governmental organisations at a reception in celebration of the Human Rights Day.
Ambassador Malone said: “The UK is a passionate, commited and effective defender of human rights. We have recently been elected back to the UN Human Rights Council and will focus on promoting freedom of expression and belief and the UN priciples on business and human rights, amongst other human rights issues.”
EU Chargé d'Affaires Michel Goffin delivering his speech at the Human Rights Day reception