Guest blog by Deputy Head of Mission Theresa Bubbear
The UN General Assembly designated 10 December Human Rights Day in 1950. This is an important day for the UK as a member of the UN Human Rights Coucil and a global champion of human rights, which underpin prosperity and security. We mark the occasion at home and around the world.
Human rights work is a priority for this Embassy and the past year has been as busy as ever. We have been supporting a Roma community in southern Hungary. I handed over the clothes, books and toys we had collected earlier in the year and I very much look forward to visiting them again before Christmas with more donations.
We have also supported a kindergarten for homeless children and visited a Roma farm and community policing project in Szendrőlád. And we have again welcomed the US Embassy’s Roma fellows to our embassy to talk to them about what we do and, as always, to be excited by their energy and enthusiasm. It is always a privilege to be part of these visits and I always feel that I learn a great deal from them.
We have also continued the Embassy’s strong tradition of working with local decision makers, NGOs, academics and communities to advance the situation of minorities and highlight the benefits of diversity and the importance of respect for others.
Examples have been our third annual human rights movie day, the unveiling of a fascinating picture capturing the astonishing life and achievements of Szenes Anikó, and an exhibition in support of the Foreign Secretary’s initiative on preventing sexual violence. At each event I have met interesting, committed, and inspiring people who share our goals.
December is traditionally a time to look back and review the past year. We are proud of what we have achieved on the human rights agenda in 2013. But we are not complacent. There is always more to do. The UK and this embassy will remain active, dedicated and vocal supporters of human rights. We look forward to new challenges, new partnerships, and new friends in 2014.