Minorities Rights Day observed on 18 December

18 December: Minorities Rights Day

Minorities Rights Day was observed on 18 December 2013 across the Nation to create awareness on rights of minorities.

Minorities Rights Day is celebrated on 18th December every year. The day is celebrated to protect rights of the minority communities as well as bringing the better understanding among religious minorities in India.

Background

On 18th December 1992 the United Nations promulgated the “Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities” to strengthen the cause of the minorities. Since then, International Minority Rights Day is observed to create awareness on rights of minorities.

The UN had declared that

"States shall protect the existence of the national or ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic identity of minorities within their respective territories and encourage conditions for the promotion of that identity".

This declaration was a huge step in protecting minorities group all over the world. It is a very important day in India because of frequent discussion and disagreements on majority-minority issues.  The National Commission for Minorities celebrates the Minority Rights Day every year on 18 December. The commission has played a major role in protecting the rights of the minority communities and in bringing about better understanding among the various religious minority communities in India.

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