In the words of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, 2011 will be remembered as the year human rights went viral. Activists used the Internet  and social media platforms to claim their rights and drive political change through peaceful protests despite violent repression.

As the global community commemorates 63 years since the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations invites people worldwide to celebrate Human Rights Day on 10 December by launching a social media-driven campaign. The campaign draws on from the instrumental role played by Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other new media tools during the popular uprisings in the Arab world as millions demanded greater rights and freedom and toppled long-standing regimes in Egypt and Tunisia.

“Our social media human rights campaign focuses on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and aims to help more people know, demand and defend human rights,” said Pillay.

According to the UN News Centre, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has an ongoing online discussion on Facebook and Twitter beginning on 10 November called “30 Days and 30 Rights,” which counts down to Human Rights Day with a daily posting about one specific article of the Declaration each day.

Meanwhile, questions are pouring in via different social media platforms for global conversation on human rights hosted by Pillay today at 9:30 a.m. New York time, which will be webcast and streamed live.