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Human Rights Day 2008 - Dignity and Justice for All

by Blue Crush | December 9, 2008 at 07:17 pm

461 views | 21 Recommendations | 5 comments

Wednesday, December 10th is the 60th Anniversary of International Human Rights Day, a day set aside to recognize that equal rights of all human individuals is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

It's now been 60 years since the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first international proclamation of the basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled. They include civil, religious and political rights, dignity, value and equal rights of all people. To this day, the declaration remains the most important reference point for discussion of ethical values globally.

Yet the Declaration's vision is still unfulfilled. Genocide is happening again, people around the world are being violated and discriminated against, poverty is rampant, millions are denied clean water even. The line between rich and poor is worse than ever, and we cannot claim to be making adequate progress toward fulfilling the ambitions set down 60 years ago.

Economic crises, conflict, terrorism, natural disaster and other emergencies have been used as excuses for not living up to human rights.

While violations are more prevalent, or at least are more publicised, in some parts of the globe than others, the developing and developed world alike share the burden. Issues continue to dominate headlines worldwide, from freedom of speech in China to detention without trial in the UK.

So, what can we do?

Nothing on this anniversary is more important than to urge our leaders to recognise the scale of the task and commit to sustained action to build institutional capacities to protect human rights, starting in their own countries. As world leaders race to address the current global economic crisis, it may seem unrealistic to be calling for large and long-term investments of this kind. But, while stabilising the international financial system is important, doing so won’t solve wider challenges of governance.

We - The Elders: "Together we will work to support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict, and inspire hope where there is despair." Nelson Mandela

Human Rights Day provides a chance to reflect on a hugely important issue. Amidst the challenges the world faces, it is a reminder to preserve the world's greatest asset – its people.

Take action at Every Human Has Rights.

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Amitjha

at 21:13 on December 9th, 2008

There is indeed tremendous improvement in the Human rights cause but some of the areas are still untouched by the nobel approach of HR.

Fairbanks

at 09:59 on December 10th, 2008

What is dignity?

What is justice?

generaldecay

at 10:07 on December 10th, 2008

I read an interesting piece the other day (if I can remember where, I'll link to it) about how, in many ways, human rights are only yours if you can afford them. In Europe anyway, ensuring your human rights can often be a very lengthy, difficult and expensive process. Such processes are not normally possible for those who are less privileged. And of course they are the people whose human rights are most often jeopardised.

It's a cruel irony.

generaldecay

at 10:22 on December 10th, 2008

Ooops, this was a recommendation - I didn't realise that it came out as a comment and not just a 'silent tick'. Sorry about the blank comment - I forgot to tick when I made the comment.

(Writing that got complicated!)