On the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, France pays tribute to all those who fight every day for human rights to be respected, often risking their freedom and their lives. At a time when these rights are increasingly threatened and undermined, the battle they wage is essential for safeguarding the fundamental freedoms inherent in democracy. The Franco-German Human Rights and Rule of Law Prize will be awarded today to 15 figures who stand out because of their actions on the ground.
The defence and promotion of human rights are a priority for France's action in the international arena. It is mobilizing its policy of cooperation and development assistance in this respect, through the implementation of the Human Rights and Development Strategy.
In conjunction with its partners, France is continuing efforts to promote gender equality, children's rights, freedom of expression and the abolition of the death penalty.
In 2021, France hosted the Generation Equality Forum, co-organized with Mexico under the aegis of UN Women, and in partnership with civil society and young people. At it, more than $40 billion of funding was released and 1,000 pledges announced to support a Global Acceleration Plan for Gender Equality, including an Action Coalition dedicated to combating gender-based violence.
France is continuing its action to promote freedom of expression and access to reliable information through the International Partnership for Information and Democracy, initiated by M. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, with Reporters Without Borders, and supported by 43 States to date. The Call to stand up for children's rights in the digital environment, which President Macron launched jointly with UNICEF on 11 November 2021 at the Paris Peace Forum, signals France and its partners' active efforts to ensure children's access to technology and digital literacy and their protection in that environment.
France, which recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of the abolition of the death penalty on its territory, is also continuing its commitment to its universal abolition.