It is comical when it should be serious. It is hurtful when it should provide solace. I have read over and over about the 75th anniversary of Human Rights Day and its proclamation that every human being is entitled to dignity and equality. I had the feeling I was reading a different document.
Embellished with beautiful phrases such as “We need to stand up for our rights and those of others,” when in reality there is turmoil around the world. Only those in positions of power have their rights safeguarded.
The people who were supposed to be protected are tramped, killed, jailed, abused, and disposed of. But, voilà, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights signed in 1948 does not create legal obligations for the signatory countries. Get the point?
The wide consensus that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is non-binding and not part of customary international law may explain why some signatories keep a blind eye when it comes to their interests.
The end of the year is always a time for reflection. Sadly, we see that social values are decreasing and human lives are becoming dispensable.
Trust in institutions, governments, and other entities that claim to be looking into the interests and protection of all people, such as the United Nations and the UN Security Council, is fading away.
Even the financial sector, the media, and climate activist groups are sliding down in credibility.
Referring back to the phrase, “We need to stand up for our rights and those of others,” I reflect upon the United Nations-advocated youth campaign of December 2022.
It breaks my heart to admit that children are paying with their lives, or an unfortunate future, for the devastating consequences of conflicts.
The narratives on investing in young people to ensure community voices echo in emptiness. Despite talks about social justice, inclusive growth, resilience, solidarity, and peace, political and military greed is destroying the dreams of millions of kids.
The fights across Africa are pushing children into vulnerability as they are turned into soldiers, sex slaves, and helpers. Nearly 175 million people are believed to live under the control of armed groups.
Adolescents from Gaza, Afghanistan, Syria, Burkina Faso, Yemen, Myanmar, Sudan, and many other countries are deprived of their rights. These children are the future, but they are also the present!
According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in early 2023, circa 222 million children needed education, with a staggering 78 million not attending school at all.
On the other end, under the United Nations Charter, countries are compelled to observe international laws to maintain peace and security. However, states are ignoring international laws and rules as they choose.
Within the UN Charter, it does not permit violating sovereignty through the use of aggression. Signatories to the charter, however, misuse the aggression element by focusing on self-defence, which is one of the sets permitted by UN Charter Article 51.
Under international humanitarian law, both schools and hospitals are protected civilian entities, yet there is an increasing trend of schools and hospitals being attacked.
The geopolitical risks around the world are creating tensions, while at the same time, freedom and democracy are sliding down fast.
I hope the conflicts we see here on Earth do not spill over into space as more countries race to the moon and adventurous rich people try to conquer the heavens. Space operations are raising concerns about dominance and profit. Will we see the militarisation of space? Anything is possible.
How realistic is it to talk about dignity and equality, and “we need to stand up for our rights” when millions of people struggle to put food on the table or do not have access to basic services?
We can always hope for better days.
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