Skopje, 10 December 2024 (MIA) - The representatives of the European Union and the United Nations in North Macedonia, Michalis Rokas and Rita Columbia, spoke Tuesday at the promotion of an educational video game on human rights entitled “Navigator” on occasion of Human Rights Day, sending messages about the need to raise awareness about the significance of human rights and the importance of their constant promotion especially when they concern the most vulnerable groups in society.

“Human rights are something that should never be taken for granted, and we need to be constantly working on them. We shouldn’t forget that many people suffer as a result of the violation of human rights every day,” said EU Ambassador Rokas.

Rokas noted that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the inception of the European Union are essentially about the same thing – “a world at peace where the citizens will be able to enjoy prosperity and where everything is established in a way that will protect everyone, especially the most vulnerable”.

“It is a day when we think and consider, since we receive news daily. The images we get daily from Syria, and the horrific conditions that the prisoners of the brutal regime faced and who went through unspeakable torture, shows how merciless dictatorships and authoritarian regimes are. Unfortunately, we know that the world is full of these things and that, unfortunately, there are people who inspire such regimes,” Rokas said.

The Ambassador also touched upon gender-based violence against women and girls, adding that a lot needs to be done.

“First we need to raise awareness, and second we need to be sure that the appropriate mechanisms are in place to provide assistance to all who have had their human rights violated and to achieve gender equality as soon as possible,” the EU Ambassador underscored.

Rita Columbia, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia, stressed at the event that Human Rights Day is critically important for the UN, since “human rights”, she said, “are at the foundation of the United Nations”. 

“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on December 10, 1948, by all member states, and this was a significant step towards peaceful, democratic and safe societies. We shouldn’t forget about human rights on other days either, we should remember them daily, practice them and enjoy them on a daily basis. But today we recall why human rights are so important,” Columbia said.

The UN representative said everyone should take steps to protect human rights – “we shouldn’t leave this responsibility to others and only watch”.

“This shouldn’t be the case when it comes to human rights – we should act, take steps, do everything we can to realize change,” UN representative Columbia underscored. 

Photo: MIA