Marking the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, the world observes Human Rights Day.
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Marking the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, the world observes Human Rights Day on December 10 every year, celebrating the idea that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. The UDHR, which is considered a foundational document in international human rights law, recognises the inherent dignity and rights every individual is entitled to “without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status”. It also upholds principles of equality, justice, and freedom from discrimination based on the political, jurisdictional, or status of the country or territory to which a person belongs. It may not be legally binding but serves as a catalyst for movements against injustice. However, despite tremendous progress made in protecting human rights, the world is confronted with complex challenges today due to rising intolerance, authoritarian tendencies, unprovoked attacks for territorial expansion, etc. For instance, the ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, Syria, and Myanmar, among others, have resulted in massive civilian casualties and displacement. India also has been grappling with human rights challenges, including allegations of fake encounters and extra-judicial killings. The controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) of 1958 continues to haunt the so-called "disturbed areas", including Nagaland, with the centre refusing to revoke it despite being criticised for human rights abuses and lack of accountability. Following the central government's denial of sanction to prosecute the accused, the Supreme Court of India has closed criminal proceedings against 30 Army personnel allegedly involved in the brutal killing of more than a dozen civilians during a botched ambush in Oting, Mon district, in 2021. Result? The victims have been denied justice, while the accused remain unscathed and free.
Unfortunately, international humanitarian law has been repeatedly violated by powerful nations with impunity. The inability to protect human rights in the face of wars and conflicts exposes the limitations of the United Nations. With no accountability mechanism for human rights abuse, be it war crimes or genocide, aggressors continue to perpetrate violence at will, normalising brutality, especially in long-drawn-out wars and conflicts. This is a matter of serious concern that requires attention. Safeguarding human rights is a collective moral responsibility. Failure to take concrete action against forces that pose a threat to international peace and security will have repercussions for all, as Martin Luther King Jr said: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”