Overview:
Palau joins the world in recognizing Human Rights Day on December 10, 2025. President Surangel Whipps Jr. calls on all citizens to reflect on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and reaffirm their commitment to justice, equality, and dignity in daily life.
KOROR, Palau (Dec. 15, 2025) — President Surangel Whipps Jr. has formally declared December 10, 2025, as Human Rights Day in Palau, calling on citizens to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to equality, dignity and justice amid what he described as a period of global instability and rising insecurity.
In a proclamation issued Monday, Whipps highlighted the continued relevance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted on the same date in 1948, saying its core principles “remain a powerful and indispensable foundation for peace, dignity and shared humanity.”
The Universal Declaration, recognized as the most widely translated document in the world with 577 language versions, serves as a guiding framework for national and international laws and efforts to promote freedom, equality and justice.
This year’s global theme, “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials,” underscores the need to reconnect people with the role human rights play in daily life — from participation in community life to protection from discrimination and access to basic services. Whipps said the theme arrives “at a time of global turbulence and unpredictability, when many feel a growing sense of insecurity, disaffection and alienation.”
According to the proclamation, the 2025 Human Rights Day campaign aims to close the gap between principle and lived experience by showing that human rights are not abstract ideals but practical essentials that support well-being, strong communities and inclusive development. The president noted that advancing human rights also helps counter misinformation, curb hate speech and ensure that all people can participate safely and meaningfully in society.
Whipps urged Palauans to use the observance to reflect on the achievements of the Universal Declaration, confront injustice and strengthen efforts to promote dialogue and equity. “Safeguarding human rights as everyday essentials is vital to building a more peaceful, equitable and resilient future for all,” he said.
The proclamation encourages citizens to take part in activities that raise awareness of human rights, address social challenges and reinforce shared responsibility for protecting the dignity of all people in Palau.
The declaration was signed in Koror on Dec. 15, 2025.