Human Rights Days 2026

January

World Braille Day January 4 International A UN day raising awareness of braille as a means of communication for blind and partially sighted people. International Holocaust Remembrance Day January 27 International A UN day commemorating the victims of the Holocaust, marking the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on January 27, 1945.

February

International Day of Women and Girls in Science February 11 International A UN day promoting full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. World Day of Social Justice February 20 International A UN day promoting efforts to tackle poverty, exclusion, inequality and unemployment.

March

Zero Discrimination Day March 1 Awareness A UNAIDS day celebrating everyone's right to live a full and productive life with dignity, free from discrimination. International Women’s Day March 8 International A global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and calling for gender equality. World Down Syndrome Day March 21 International A UN-recognised day raising awareness of Down syndrome and celebrating the lives and rights of people with it.

April

World Autism Awareness Day April 2 International A UN day promoting understanding and acceptance of autistic people and their full participation in society.

May

International Workers’ Day May 1 International Also known as May Day or Labour Day, a day honouring workers and the labour movement, observed as a public holiday in… World Press Freedom Day May 3 International A UN day defending media independence, honouring journalists who lost their lives, and reminding governments to respect freedom of expression.

June

World Refugee Day June 20 International A UN day honouring refugees around the world and the strength of people forced to flee their homes.

August

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples August 9 International A UN day promoting and protecting the rights of the world's Indigenous peoples. World Humanitarian Day August 19 International A UN day honouring aid workers who risk their lives to help others and the people affected by crises around the world.

September

International Day of Democracy September 15 International A UN day reviewing the state of democracy in the world and promoting its principles.

November

International Day for Tolerance November 16 International A UN day promoting mutual understanding among cultures and peoples and respect for diversity. World Children’s Day November 20 International UNICEF's day of action for children's rights, marking the adoption of the Declaration and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women November 25 International A UN day calling for an end to violence against women and girls, which opens the 16 Days of Activism ending on…

December

International Day of Persons with Disabilities December 3 International A UN day promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in every sphere of society. International Anti-Corruption Day December 9 International A UN day raising awareness of corruption and of the UN Convention against Corruption. Human Rights Day December 10 International The anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948. International Migrants Day December 18 International A UN day recognising the contributions of migrants and the importance of protecting their rights.