BWA observes Human Rights Day in December

The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) observes World Human Rights Day on December 7 and 8, depending on whether Baptists worship on Saturday or Sunday. The date coincides with the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948.

Baptist congregations and organizations are encouraged to focus on issues of human rights, inclusive of religious liberty and social justice, in their worship services and other activities.

This year’s program will be focused on the ongoing conflicts and human rights violations in Colombia.  A BWA delegation visited the cities of Bogota, Cali and Buenaventura in Colombia from June 23-30 this year to observe the peace work of Protestant and evangelical churches in the South American country, and to explore ways to support this work. Details of that visit can be read HERE.

A second emphasis will be on the quest for a “nuclear-free, arms-free world.” One estimate puts the number of nuclear weapons held by the nine major nuclear powers at approximately 17,300, with the majority held by Russia and the United States.