On the Eve of Universal Human Rights Month and World Human Rights Day, HH Param Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President of Parmarth Niketan, offered a powerful message to devotees around the world that everyone – regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender or any other status – has the right to live freely. Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on 10 December to promote respect for the rights and freedoms of all. The 2022 theme of Human Rights Day was ‘Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All’.

In His message, Pujya Swamiji declared that – along with dignity, freedom and justice – health is also a fundamental human right because without health it is not possible to maintain dignity, freedom and justice, and that the right to health requires that everyone has access to a clean and hygienic environment. “Today,” He shared, “human rights also includes that no one should be left behind and everyone should have access to clean water, sanitation and clean air without any discrimination. The right to health is not only limited to staying healthy, but also includes sexual and reproductive health. This includes keeping one’s body healthy without any interference. And, it includes freedom from gender-based violence against women and girls. Both can have serious life-long health consequences for women and girls.

“It is most important,” Pujya Swamiji concluded, “to end discrimination against anyone under all circumstances. The best way to celebrate human rights month in December is to respect life and ensure that no one faces any kind of problems because of our actions throughout the year. Universal Human Rights Month is about respect, dignity and freedom for everyone.”