On the eve of Human Rights Day, which is celebrated on 10 December, the European Union reaffirms “its unwavering commitment to the universal respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights for everyone, everywhere”. This is according to a statement released today by Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. This year’s theme, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now”, underscores the necessity of “safeguarding rights and freedoms for a just, resilient, and sustainable future – leaving no one behind”. Human rights, according to Kallas, “are legal, moral and actionable guarantees universal to humankind. They are essential for human dignity, equality, democracy, peace and sustainable development. Peace and prosperity as well as the achievement of the SDGs goes hand in hand with the respect for the rule of law and all human rights”. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs stressed: “Now, more than ever, we are confronted with armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, climate disasters, impunity, growing inequalities, and, in all too many places, persistent gender inequality. The international rules-based order, with human rights at its core, remains irreplaceable. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and conflicts in the Middle East, Sudan and elsewhere, have appalling consequences for the enjoyment of human rights of civilian populations, affecting especially women and children”.