International Human Rights Day 2025: Upholding Our Everyday Essentials

Today is International Human Rights Day, commemorating the adoption in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) — the foundational blueprint for equal dignity, freedom, and justice for all. While this historic milestone is celebrated annually, its relevance has never been greater, especially as businesses navigate a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Human Rights as the Foundation of Daily Life

This year’s theme, “Our Everyday Essentials,” reminds us that human rights are not abstract ideals. They form the foundation of our daily lives: access to education and healthcare, safe and fair work, freedom of expression, and the basic dignity every person deserves.

Yet, these fundamentals are increasingly under pressure. As global challenges accelerate — from technological disruption and climate crises to geopolitical instability — upholding human rights as non-negotiable essentials has never been more critical.

Why the Private Sector Must Lead

Businesses do not operate in a vacuum. Every business decision can have profound impacts on peoples' rights. According to the Institute for Human Rights and Business’s “Top Ten Business and Human Rights Issues in 2026,” key areas of concern include AI-driven labor risks, just transition for workers, and conflict-zone complicity.

• AI-driven labour risks – automation and algorithmic management affecting fairness and worker rights

• Just transition for workers – ensuring no one is left behind in the shift to sustainable economies

• Conflict-zone complicity – avoiding indirect contributions to human rights abuses

Human Rights as a Strategic Advantage

For companies, human rights are far more than a regulatory obligation — they are a strategic lever for resilience, innovation, and long-term value creation. According to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, systematic human rights due diligence enables organizations to identify, prevent, and mitigate potential impacts, reducing legal, financial, and reputational risks. Beyond risk management, embedding human rights into corporate culture and operations has been shown to enhance employee engagement, foster innovation, and strengthen stakeholder trust. Research by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre and leading ESG studies indicate that companies with robust human rights practices achieve greater operational resilience, more sustainable supply chains, and improved long-term value creation, making respect for rights a strategic business advantage rather than a mere compliance exercise.

Embedding Rights in Practice

International Human Rights Day is more than a moment of reflection — it is a call to action for leaders across sectors:

1. Integrate human rights into decisions, policies, and partnerships — make them part of the organizational DNA.

2. See due diligence as an opportunity, not a burden — it mitigates risk while strengthening long-term resilience.

3. Lead with dignity, equality, and justice — ensuring that ethical considerations guide both strategy and execution.

Human rights are not “nice-to-have,” nor something that must be earned. Governments alone are not responsible for safeguarding them — businesses, organizations, and individuals all play a role.

They are our everyday essentials: for people, for business, and for a sustainable future. Supporting companies on this journey remains one of the most meaningful parts of my work.