Image ©: Chris Loh
The very foundation of modern human rights activism and compassion was built on a simple principle that: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and right. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” The lines noted in Article 1 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights became the inspiration for organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. However, history continues to stand a silent witness to the gross violation of human rights and fundamental freedom.
In many countries, people survive under deplorable living conditions and an estimated 250 million children around the world are working in various jobs, frequently under hazardous conditions. Religious persecution, repression and denied access to rule of law are all cumulatively violation of human rights in a small, medium or large scale. Our conscience infuriated by repugnant acts of merciless brutality committed by individuals and groups as the dark side of human nature continues to surfaces each time with greater wickedness and contempt. The gruesome tales of death and haunting images of frail bodies and pleading eyes of victims being starved, beaten and tortured makes one wonder does human rights really matter. Does anyone really care after all inhuman acts continue to be part of our history?
There is universal acknowledgement of Human Rights as a righteous vision. The paradox lies in that while it has inspired organizations and movements, it largely remains an unrealized reality. The continuous violations of its principles make it seem as an idealistic concept confined to international statutes. Take for instance the Holocaust that led to the death of almost 6 million Jewish people and left many more to live with the scars of human cruelty for life. The genocide of Cambodia between 1975 and 1979 led to the death of over half a million Cambodians by the Khmer Rouge. In 1994, the genocide in Rwanda led to approximately 800,000 people being brutally murdered as the international community deliberated and struggled to find consensus for an “intervention force” in Rwanda. But these are only few of the many cases of unfolding brutality and chaos.
However, the belief in ‘Human Rights’ as a conscientious obligation of all nations is upheld by international organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Free the Slaves to name a few. These global movements work tirelessly to keep alive the vision for a world where human dignity has a value and respect for human rights is not a choice but a necessity. The creation of The International Criminal Court is a promising step forward in bringing to justice war criminals and crimes against humanity. But from the English Bill of Rights in 1689 to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, the struggle for dignity and civil liberties for all human beings continues.
The fact is striving for human rights and freedom in a world that is far from perfect and divided by changing times is difficult. However, Human Rights begin with each one of us ensuring that it means something more than just words in the pages of international law. There is an anonymous saying that best sums it up: “There is enough bad in people to make law necessary, and enough good in people to make it workable."
