On December
10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights. This landmark document enshrines the indisputable rights every
human being is entitled to, “regardless of race, colour, religion, sex,
language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property,
birth or other status”. The declaration, which sets a common standard of
fundamental human rights to be universally protected, is a milestone in the
history of humankind. While mustering the courage to acknowledge the rampant
human rights violation and the need to address it was commendable, the failure
to stop the same raises questions about the effectiveness of the declaration.
Even as we observe Human Rights Day this year on the theme “Our Rights, Our
Future, Right Now”, acknowledging the importance of human rights in our daily
lives and the need to speak up against injustice for a better tomorrow,
millions of people were killed and millions rendered homeless in the ongoing
conflicts and violence across the world. Sadly, there is no end in sight to
these crises. Syria continues to face humanitarian crisis to this day since
civil war broke out in the country more than a decade ago, and Myanmar is faced
with a similar situation since the Aung San Suu Kyi government was toppled in a
military coup in 2021. The human rights situation in Ukraine arising out of
Russia’s unprovoked invasion in 2022 continues to be grim, while the horrific
reality that unfolded after the Hamas launched a massive attack on Israel last
year and Tel Aviv’s subsequent military campaign on Gaza has grabbed global
attention for gross violations of human rights and international law.
The
limitations of the United Nations have been exposed by its inability to protect
human rights in the face of wars and conflicts the world is currently facing.
It is obvious that the veto power has rendered the UN ineffective in addressing
crises, including the ongoing wars. This calls for reformation of the United
Nations, especially the Security Council (UNSC). Only then will the world body
have the teeth to take concrete action against forces that pose a threat to
international peace and security. In the meantime, India should end the Manipur
crisis that has raised the alarm about human rights violations, as more than
200 people have been killed and thousands displaced since the ethnic conflict
between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo communities erupted in many last year. Then
there is the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) 1958, which is still in
force in most north-eastern states despite allegations of human rights
violations in the form of fake encounters and extra-judicial killings. It’s
time India scrap this draconian law that undermines human rights and dignity.
The country that made a significant contribution in drafting the landmark
document -- Universal Declaration of Human Rights – should lead from the front
in protecting human rights.
