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Lord Ahmad began by reflecting on the theme of Human Rights Day 2022: 鈥楧ignity, Freedom, and Justice for All鈥�. This theme got to the nub of what human rights mean to peoples鈥� lives, something that Eleanor Roosevelt 鈥� who was instrumental in drafting the Universal Declaration 鈥� had alluded to when she said universal human rights begin:

in small places鈥�the neighbourhood鈥�the school鈥�the factory, farm, or office鈥�Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere.

Lord Ahmad stressed that, this year, the UK鈥檚 resolve to promote and protect human rights had only been strengthened by the injustices around us. He gave an overview of the UK鈥檚 work to promote human rights, which spanned every continent. From Ethiopia to Pakistan, from Iran to Ukraine. From the right to life, to media freedom, to education.

From the UK鈥檚 role in evacuating Afghans at risk following the Taliban takeover in August 2021, to the UK鈥檚 global leadership in promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief and Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, to UK targeted programming to end modern slavery, the UK had, and would continue to, stand up for the human rights of everyone, everywhere.

Lord Ahmad noted he had met with countless human rights survivors from across the world. He gave personal reflections on the importance of making sure survivors鈥� voices are heard, and stressed that we all have a role to play in creating the conditions for everyone to enjoy their human rights.

Lord Ahmad ended by paying homage to human rights defenders, the ultimate guardians of equality and freedom, and by extending his heartfelt thanks to everyone who works with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to champion human rights 鈥� for their creativity, tenacity, and unwavering resilience. He stressed that together we can change the world for the better, and secure 鈥渄ignity, freedom, and justice for all鈥�.