On Human Rights Day, we remember the December 10, 1948 proclamation by the nations of the world to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The chartered nations of the United Nations acted to form this declaration on human rights and dignity in the face of world horrors, described as “disregard and contempt for human rights [that] have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind.” The chartered nations of the United Nations used the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to reaffirm “their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.”

The foundation of such shared universal human rights is described in Article 1 of the UDHR. “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

We cannot act towards one another with respect, with a conscience, in the spirit of brotherhood or sisterhood, when our hearts are burdened and consumed by hate.

The answer to respecting the brotherhood and sisterhood of our fellow human beings – begins with compassion, dignity, mercy. While we are outraged at the indignities of extremists and tyrants, remember to always fights the battle for compassion of human rights in our own hearts first.