Every year on March 24th, the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims pays tribute to the memory of Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero. Monsignor Romero was an Archbishop who was actively engaged in denouncing the violation of human rights in El Salvador. His murders were never brought to justice. On February 3rd, 2015, Pope Francis declared Romero a martyr. On October 14th, Pope Francis canonized Romero as a Saint.
On December 21, 2010, the UN General Assembly proclaimed March 24th as the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims. It was on March 24th, 1980, that Monsignor Romero was assassinated. The day was first observed on March 24th, 2011.
The purpose of the Day is to:
- Honour the memory of victims of gross and systematic human rights violations and promote the importance of the right to truth and justice;
- Pay tribute to those who have devoted their lives to, and lost their lives in, the struggle to promote and protect human rights for all;
- Recognize, in particular, the important work and values of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, of El Salvador, who was assassinated on 24 March 1980, after denouncing violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable populations and defending the principles of protecting lives, promoting human dignity and opposition to all forms of violence.
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