BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro Selectboard unanimously voted to declare Dec. 10 Human Rights Day.
At the Dec. 5 regular Selectboard meeting, resident Justin Bibee introduced the proposal. Board Chair Kate O'Connor read the entire proclamation into the record.
The proclamation references the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Dec. 10, 1948.
Although it isn't legally binding, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been adopted in, or has influenced, many national constitutions over the past seven decades. It has also served as the foundation for a number of national and international policies, laws, and treaties to protect and promote human rights.
“We encourage Brattleboro citizens to participate in activities related to Human Rights Day,” the proclamation states.
In a letter to The Commons, Bibee wrote “it is my hope that this proclamation will facilitate and accelerate advocacy and respect for human rights in Brattleboro.”
Bibee is the founder of the United Nations Association of Vermont, and is in the process of earning his master's degree in Peacebuilding at the SIT Graduate Institute. He works with homeless youth as the shelter coordinator and case manager at Youth Services in Brattleboro.