December is celebrated as Universal Human Rights Month. Human rights principles are core to the mission of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, as the agency is committed to providing Oregonians with equal access to its programs and services, as well as fair and equal employment opportunities.
Universal Human Rights Month is celebrated worldwide to recognize the anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Dec. 10, 1948. Dec. 10 is acknowledged as “Human Rights Day.” During Human Rights Day and the month of December, people around the world join together to appreciate the basic rights that should be granted to all human beings everywhere, regardless of their race, religion, gender, native language, political inclination, national or social origin, property ownership, and economic status.
The following are quotes by some of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council members on why human rights are important:
Tina Boone, Division of Financial Regulation
“In my opinion, human rights are the heart and soul of what we do in DEI and how I personally strive to treat others. ‘Human rights means that each individual should be treated with respect, dignity, and equality.’ – Tony Fernandes (Malaysian entrepreneur)”
Liz Johnson, Director’s
Office
“Human rights are important to
me because everyone is human.
Human rights are fundamentally
necessary because all humans
deserve the equitable right to
live their lives in peace – free
from fear, hate, oppression, and
discrimination.”
Kent Landgraver, Oregon OSHA
“Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,’ in his letter from Birmingham Jail. It was originally published on April 16, 1963. This is often paraphrased as ‘injustice for one is injustice for all.’”
Kara Null, Director’s Office
“Human rights matter to me because they affirm that every person in this world is important and should be valued and treated with dignity.”
Jennifer Romadka-Healy, Division of Financial Regulation
“Human rights is the basis for all of our DEI work. It’s easy to forget that everything is created and impacted by humans. Simply put, DEI work is coloring that perspective onto everything we do so that everyone has a fair shot at living their best life.”
Cassie Soucy, Division of Financial Regulation
“Human rights is the foundation of establishing a structure for us as a community, society, and government to treat the people we serve. It’s at the core of how we continue the work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.”