Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the County Council joined in the celebration of International Human Rights Day on Thursday, Dec. 10.
This year’s Human Rights Day theme, Recover Better - Stand up for Human Rights, relates to the COVID-19 health crisis and focuses on the need to build back better by ensuring human rights are central to recovery efforts.
“Montgomery County stands united with many others across the globe to affirm that every person is entitled to basic human rights,” said County Executive Elrich. “In this worldwide pandemic, we are especially focused on the human rights of housing and food as so many people have lost jobs and their loved ones. This pandemic has highlighted some of the deep inequities in our society that we must work to correct so that all should be guaranteed dignity and respect.”
Beyond the actual one day of celebration, County residents are asked to participate in the important work being done to preserve and protect human rights in our County.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted long-standing and wide-ranging inequities in our own community and across the country," said Council President Tom Hucker. "In Montgomery County, we have been steadfast in our efforts to reach the most vulnerable in our communities and ensure they have the resources and support they need. On International Human Rights Day, we recommit ourselves to protecting and promoting the rights of vulnerable populations, particularly those who have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic."
