Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its formal inception dates from 1950, after the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V) inviting all States and interested organizations to adopt 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights, as the main UN rights official, and her Office play a major role in coordinating efforts for the yearly observation of Human Rights Day.

In addition to marking the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, 10 December is also:

- the anniversary of the World Conference on Human Rights 1993, which adopted the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA)

- the anniversary of the establishment of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in 1993

- the anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Principles on National Human Rights Institutions in 1993.