Table of Contents
- Introduction
1.1. Occasion: 77th Anniversary of Human Rights Day
1.2. Organizers: The Bill Crews Foundation
1.3. Event Overview and Attendance - Opening Ceremony
2.1. Indigenous Smoking Ceremony
2.2. Welcome Remarks by Reverend Bill Crews - Message from Former High Court Justice
3.1. Statement by The Hon. Michael Kirby
3.2. Herbert Evatt’s Role in Drafting the Universal Declaration
3.3. Warnings About the Future of Humanity - Key Speakers and Their Messages
4.1. Dr. Stepan Kerkyasharian – National Council of Australia
4.2. Dr. Chin Jin – Chinese Pro-Democracy Activist
4.3. Ms. Jean Zheng – Chinese Human Rights Activist
4.4. Tsedon Woser – Tibetan Community Leader
4.5. Mehmet Celepci – Australian Uyghur Association - Special Segment: Human Rights Crisis in Iran
5.1. Peter Murphy – Australian Supporters of Democracy in Iran
• Environmental and Public Health Crisis
• Execution Statistics
• Economic and Social Collapse
5.2. Mohammad Sadeghpour – ADFHRIA
• Student Day in Iran
• 18 Political Prisoners Sentenced to Death
• Urgent Appeal Against Unlawful Executions
• The Ten-Point Democratic Vision of the Iranian People
5.3. Esmat Tastan & Nejla Yilmaz – Kurdish Community
5.4. Lily Al-Bassit – Druze Community - Spiritual and Artistic Segments
6.1. Choir Performance
6.2. Interfaith Readings (Torah, Bible, Qur’an, Buddhist Scriptures) - Final Message from All Speakers
7.1. Call for Unity Against Dictatorship and Injustice
7.2. Protection of Human Dignity Through Solidarity
7.3. Closing Hospitality by the Bill Crews Foundation
Commemoration 77th Anniversary of Human Rights Day Unity of Communities in Defend of Human Dignity
77th Anniversary of Human Rights Day
On the occasion of Human Rights Day and on the eve of the 77th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the well-known Australian charity, The Bill Crews Foundation, held a special ceremony on Sunday, 7 December, at its center at the Ashfield Uniting Church in Sydney.
The program ran formally from 10:00 to 11:30 am, attended by representatives of various communities, civil society groups, human rights activists, researchers, artists, and many families. https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=oPYNPCvFUEY
Opening with Indigenous Smoking Ceremony and Welcome by Bill Crews, Human Rights Day
The Human Rights Day began with an Australian Indigenous Smoking Ceremony—an ancient ritual for cleansing and inviting peace.
Afterward, Reverend Bill Crews welcomed all attendees and emphasized the importance of solidarity among people and different faiths on Human Rights Day, saying:
“This day belongs to all humanity. We have gathered here to honor our shared value—human dignity.”
Message from Former High Court Judge to Human Rights Day: A Warning About the Future of Humanity
The program continued with a special message from The Hon. Michael Kirby, former Justice of the High Court of Australia.
Reviewing Herbert Evatt’s role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, he said:
“The Universal Declaration is not merely a legal document; it is a roadmap for the survival of humanity in an era of wars, nuclear weapons, and global crises.”
Kirby warned:
“If countries do not adhere to its principles, humanity’s future will be gravely endangered.”
Key Speakers and Their Messages, Human Rights Day
● Dr. Stepan Kerkyasharian – Deputy Chair of the National Council of Australia
Referring to the Armenian genocide and global silence, he said:
“The greatest threat to human rights is silence — the silence of the media, the silence of world leaders. We do not have the right to remain silent in the face of injustice.”
He stressed that communities must have the courage to speak the truth.
● Dr. Chin Jin and Ms. Jean Zheng – Chinese Pro-Democracy Activists
Dr. Jin criticized authoritarian structures:
“Without true democracy, there is no hope for improvement in human rights.”
Ms. Jean Zheng shared her personal experience in the struggle for freedom in China and emphasized the need for awareness among migrant communities.
● Tsedon Woser – Leader of the Tibetan Community
He spoke about cultural and religious repression in Tibet and called for global support.
● Mehmet Celepci – Board Member of the Australian Uyghur Association
Referring to mass detentions and forced labour camps in China, he said:
“Keep the voice of the Uyghur people alive in the world; silence is complicity in oppression.”
● Esmat Tastan and Nejla Yilmaz – Kurdish Community Leaders
They spoke about discrimination and human rights violations against Kurds in the region and declared that unity among diverse communities is the only path to fighting oppression.
● Lily Al-Bassit – Leader of the Druze Community
She conveyed a message of solidarity from the Druze community and emphasized the right of all people to freedom of religion and lifestyle.
Special Segment: Human Rights Crisis in Iran
One of the most important parts of the program was the speech by two representatives of the Iranian community.
Peter Murphy – Australian Supporters of Democracy in Iran
Peter Murphy, who has worked with the Iranian community for many years, presented a detailed report on the situation in Iran:
- Water and electricity crisis in 30 provinces
- Nationwide shutdown of schools, universities, and offices on 1 December due to deadly air pollution
- 50,000 annual deaths caused by air pollution in Iran
- 48.6% inflation rate as of 31 October 2025
- Over 1,800 executions in the past 11 months
- 2,521 executions since the new president took office
He said:
“Iran faces economic collapse, environmental disaster, and severe human rights repression. The people of Iran need international support.”
● Mohammad Sadeghpour – Representative of the Association to Defend Freedom & Human Rights in Iran–Australia
Mr. Sadeghpour, while commemorating the day and congratulating all attendees, also marked the 72nd anniversary of Student Day in Iran, falling on 7 December. He described it as a symbol of resistance and struggle against dictatorship and foreign domination in Iran. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BcjoLtaHj/
Displaying the photos of 18 political prisoners sentenced to death, he delivered a powerful message, saying:
“This morning we were informed that Mr. Mohammad-Javad Vafaei-Thani has been transferred to solitary confinement for execution. We urge you not to remain silent in the face of these unlawful executions.” https://www.iranliberty.org.au/wp-admin/post.php?post=289&action=edit
Referring to the Iranian people’s demands based on the Ten-Point Plan, he said:
“The people of Iran want a democratic, secular republic with equality between men and women — without executions and without nuclear weapons.”
Spiritual and Artistic Segments
During the ceremony:
- A choir performed uplifting songs, warmly applauded by the audience.
- Verses from the Torah, Bible, Qur’an, and Buddhist scriptures were recited, enriching the intercultural atmosphere of the event.
Final Message from All Speakers
Unity is the Only Path to Protect Human Dignity**
At the end, despite their ethnic, cultural, and religious differences, all speakers repeated a shared message:
“In the face of dictatorship, discrimination, and injustice, only unity among communities and faiths can defend human dignity.”
The ceremony concluded with warm hospitality from the staff of the Bill Crews Foundation, and many participants emphasised the need to continue such programs.
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