The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948. Member states pledged to defend equality, freedom and justice, promote social prosperity, and allow people to establish correct values. This year marks its 75th anniversary and the United Nations reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the belief that all individuals are born equal with the promise of every person enjoying various freedoms, including freedom of religion, speech, movement, and more.
Regrettably, even now, many ambitious nations attempt to control other countries for their own interests and hope to subjugate others. For instance, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to a conflict that has persisted for over a year with no sign of a ceasefire. The war has destroyed many lives and forced over six million Ukrainians to leave their beloved and familiar home to escape the war, making the dream of a peaceful and free life seem distant.
On the other side of the Mediterranean, another battleground exists: in the Gaza Strip, the conflict between Israel and the militant Hamas group continues since the attack on southern Israel on October 7. Both sides blaming each other while claiming to be acting in self-defence. While they may publicly claim justice, self-interest and retaliation seem to be lurking behind the scenes, involving long-standing historical issues and ethnic conflicts. Sad but true, innocent civilians are the ones who suffer the most in these conflicts.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted and signed three years after the end of World War II, which caused huge human casualties. In addition to Europe, the war also spread to Asia and the Americas, causing inestimable economic and cultural losses. However, destruction often accompanies rebirth. The countries that signed the declaration in those days pledged to respect and uphold basic human rights, rights that are inherent to all of us regardless of nationality, gender, ethnicity, race, religion, or any identity. They aimed to extend this belief to the people under their jurisdiction. The declaration consists of 30 articles that cover rights related to education, employment, voting, healthcare, and more, serving as the foundation for today’s human rights conventions and legislation.
Based on the experiences of past generations, it is not impossible to promote peace, freedom, and justice worldwide. The United Nations is spearheading the “Human Rights at 75” initiative, involving communities and individuals, with the goal of listening, learning, and making commitments. They have announced plans for an event in December 2023, during which they will declare global commitments and visions for the future of human rights.
We hope that leaders of countries around the world can prioritise the well-being of their people, set aside their differences, and humbly listen to each other. Even if their opinions differ, they should still respect one another and work toward peace. SE
