Every year on December 10th, the world observes International Human Rights Day, which serves as both a global call to action and a ray of hope. Honoring the day, Since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was ratified in 1948, human rights have gained international recognition and increased protection over the years, this event serves as a reminder of the values that guide our common humanity.
“Freedom, Equality and Justice for All”
The values of equality and dignity in human rights have been under constant attack lately. The core principles and rights that preserve human dignity have continuously come under attack as the world struggles with both new and old problems, such as pandemics, conflicts, growing inequality, a morally dubious global financial system, racism, and climate change.
For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the existing inequalities in society around the world. The ability to weather the pandemic, access to healthcare, and economic stability have all been distributed disproportionately. Most of the crisis has fallen on those who are already marginalized by society and subject to systemic discrimination.
Geopolitical tensions and conflicts continue to upend lives and communities at the same time, frequently resulting in large-scale evictions and violations of human rights. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the more recent one between Palestine and Israel, have gripped the human rights movement. These conflicts are killing women and children and affecting people everywhere. Economic inequality is sustained by the morally reprehensible global financial system, which leaves millions of people in poverty while a small number of people gain unfathomable wealth.
Deeply embedded in many societies, racism can take many different forms, ranging from overt acts of violence to systematic discrimination. The ongoing battle for racial equality has been made more urgent by recent events, which highlight how important it is to destroy racist institutions.
The planet faces an existential threat due to human-caused climate change. Marginalized communities are disproportionately affected, bearing the brunt of its effects. Everything in this fast-paced, technologically advanced world has an effect on the climate and the people who live in it. Environmental degradation threatens the right to a clean and healthy environment, which is inextricably linked to human dignity.
Intersectional approaches to human rights advocacy and protection must take into account how different types of inequality and discrimination are linked to one another. Rethinking institutions, regulations, and social standards is necessary to guarantee that everyone’s rights and dignity—regardless of origin, identity, or socioeconomic standing—are upheld.
The fight for equality and dignity in the face of current and future challenges becomes a call to action for a better world. It is a call to action for people, groups, and countries to collaborate to build a future in which everyone’s human rights are actualized in their daily lives rather than remaining abstract concepts.