relevance of Human Rights in our daily lives. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, as the main United Nations rights official and his Office plays a major role in coordinating efforts for the yearly observation of Human Rights Day: The 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights occurred on 10 December 2008, and the UN Secretary-General launched a year-long campaign leading up to this anniversary. Because the UDHR holds the world record as the most translated document (except for the Bible), organizations around the globe used the year to focus on helping people everywhere learn about their rights. On 9 December 2001, President George W. Bush made a Presidential proclamation that Human Rights Week began on 9 December. He also made the same proclamation on 10 December 2008. Past observances Date variance In South Africa, Human Rights Day is celebrated on 21 March, in remembrance of the Sharpeville massacre which took place on 21 March 1960. This massacre occurred as a result of protests against the Apartheid regime in South Africa. South African Human Rights Day was declared a national holiday when the ANC was elected as the government with Nelson Mandela as the first democratically elected leader. Parliament's role on this day is to empower the people so that the democratic processes becomes known to all South Africans. It is celebrated on 11 December in Kiribati. See also HumanLight International observance International Day in Support of Victims of Torture Stalker International Film Festival on Human Rights World Humanitarian Day World Humanist Day United Nations References External links Vice-Chancellor Sangam University Bhilwara Speaks on Human Rights Day at JMA Pilani Rajasthan Human rights Civil awareness days United Nations days December observances