The UN urged world leaders to revive the spirit that led to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 75 years ago, to counter today’s widespread oppression and polarisation, AFP reports.

“In the ashes of global warfare, it brought hope. To put an end to cycles of bloodshed, it promised justice,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk at a gathering celebrating the 75th anniversary of the groundbreaking tract, adopted in Paris on December 10, 1948.

Turk said his thoughts went “to the millions of people suffering unbearably in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, notably in Gaza, and Israel; in Sudan; Ukraine; Myanmar; and so many other places”.

“At a time of so little solidarity, and so much divisive and short-sighted vision, I view it as a call to overcome polarisation,” he said.