The document lists numerous dates in 2012 that are designated as international days of observance related to human rights issues. Some of these dates commemorate events like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, International Women's Day, and World Refugee Day. Others bring awareness to issues such as racial discrimination, slavery, disabilities, HIV/AIDS, and environmental protection. The calendar provides a overview of many of the important human rights topics that are recognized and promoted around the world throughout the year.

1. HUMAN RIGHTS CALENDAR 2012
Date Observance
January 4 World Braille Day
January 11 60th Anniversary of the UN Disarmament Commission
January 11 International Human Trafficking Awareness Day
January 16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 27 International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the
Holocaust
February Black History Month (U.S., Canada)
February 20 World Day of Social Justice
March International Women's Month
March 8 International Women's Day
March 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
March 22 World Water Day
March 24 World TB Day
March 25 International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery & The
Transatlantic Slave Trade: "Honoring the Heroes, Resisters, and
Survivors"
March 31 Earth Hour
April Sexual Assault Awareness Month (U.S.)
April 4 International Day for Mine Awareness & Assistance in Mine Action
April 7 World Health Day
April 25 World Malaria Day
April 30 International Jazz Day
May 15 International Day of Families
May 17 International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia
May 21 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue & Development
May 22 International Day for Biological Diversity (UNEP/CBD)
June 5 World Environment Day
June 16 International Day of the African Child
June 20 World Refugee Day
August 23 International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade & Its Abolition

2. September 16 International Day for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (UNEP)
September 21 International Day of Peace
October 1 International Day for Older Persons/ Seniors
October 2 International Day of Nonviolence
October 17 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
November 6 International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in
War & Armed Conflict (UNEP)
November 20 Universal Children's Day
December 1 World AIDS Day
December 3 International Day of Disabled Persons
December 10 International Human Rights Day
December 18 International Migrant Day