WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2020 – The American Bar Association joins others around the world Saturday in celebrating United Nations Day 2020, which marks the anniversary of the day the UN Charter came into force in 1945.
This year’s theme, “UN 75: Shaping Our Future Together,” recognizes the 75th anniversary of the United Nations – reflecting on the UN’s past, celebrating the accomplishments of the present, and looking forward toward a better and a sustainable future for all. Throughout the last 75 years, the UN has worked to develop international law. Its core documents — the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — continue to serve as a foundation for freedom, peace, and justice throughout the world and an affirmation of universal human rights.
The ABA’s support of the UN dates to 1943, when ABA members participated in a series of conferences that resulted in the development of provisions of the UN Charter. Today, the ABA continues to work closely with the UN to defend the rule of law in the United States and throughout the world. Through the ABA’s Rule of Law Initiative, the Center for Human Rights, the Section of International Law and many other ABA groups, we advance legal reform and strengthen legal institutions across the world, expand access to justice, and support a universal perspective of human rights.
As the world continues to suffer from the health and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to foster international cooperation and communication. We stand for the rights, equality, and dignity of all, including women, minorities and LGBTQ people. Today, we should take the opportunity to renew our commitment to human rights for all.
The ABA is the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law. View our privacy statement online. Follow the latest ABA news at www.americanbar.org/news and on Twitter @ABANews