Kathmandu: On International Human Rights Day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the urgency of healing divisions and fostering peace.

Expressing concern over assaults on human rights globally, Guterres highlighted that "tens of millions of people are mired in poverty, hunger, and struggling health and education systems, which have not fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic."

Reaffirming the indivisibility of human rights, he stated, "When one right is undermined, all rights are undermined." He called for collective action to address poverty and hunger, ensure universal access to healthcare and education, and promote justice and equality for women, girls, and minorities.

Guterres also stressed the importance of defending democracy, press freedoms, and workers' rights, while advocating for a safe, sustainable environment and supporting human rights defenders.

This year's Human Rights Day theme is: "Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now."