To Deny People their rights is to Challenge Their Humanity

Human rights have become a major issue in Sri Lanka since President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected as President in 2019. After his party, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna won the Parliamentary election next year, there was a virtual dictatorship and this led to an unprecedented public uprising or Aragalaya mainly opposite the Presidential Secretariat at Galle Face Green, Temple trees and in most parts of the country. The public rising shook the Government and forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country in July. Later with the support of the SLPP, United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected as President through Parliamentary vote and his 2023 budget was approved on Tuesday with a comfortable majority. Until recently, Mr. Wickremesinghe, who had for decades promised to withdraw the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) used its strict law to arrest peaceful protesters who were complaining against the rising cost of living, the debt crisis and the fact that millions of people were finding it difficult to provide three square meals for their families, proper shelter, education, health-care and other basic facilities. 

It is in such a crisis within crisis and controversy within controversy, that the United Nations (UN) on December 10 marks the International Human Rights Day. In a statement, the UN Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10   that the day the UN General Assembly in 1948 adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone document, which proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Highlighting the theme of “EQUALITY - Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights,” the UN says the principles of equality and non-discrimination are at the heart of human rights. Equality is aligned with the 2030 Agenda and with the UN approach set out in the document Shared Framework on Leaving No One Behind: Equality and Non-Discrimination at the Heart of Sustainable Development. This includes addressing and finding solutions for deep-rooted forms of discrimination that have affected the most vulnerable people in societies, including women and girls, indigenous peoples, people of African descent, LGBTI community, migrants and people with disabilities, among others.

Equality, inclusion and non-discrimination, in other words - a human rights-based approach to development  - is the best way to reduce inequalities and resume our path towards realising the 2030 Agenda. 

Stressing that we need to  rebuild better, fairer greener, the UN says rampant poverty, pervasive inequalities and structural discrimination are human rights violations and among the greatest global challenges of our time.

Addressing them effectively requires measures grounded in human rights, renewed political commitment and participation of all, especially those most affected. We need a new social contract which more fairly shares power, resources and opportunities and sets the foundations of a sustainable human rights-based economy.

Underlining the need to rebuild and new fairer social contract, the UN says Human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights as well as the right to development and the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, are central to building a new human rights-based economy that supports better, fairer and more sustainable societies for present and future generations. A human rights-based economy should be the foundation of a new social contract.

Stressing the need to give equal opportunities for youth, the UN says Successive financial and health crises have had long-lasting and multidimensional impacts on millions of young people. Unless their rights are protected, including through decent jobs and social protection, the “COVID generation” runs the risk of falling prey to the detrimental effects of mounting inequality and poverty. Vaccine injustice through unfair vaccine distribution and hoarding contravenes international legal and human rights norms and the spirit of global solidarity. The call for a common agenda and a new social contract between Governments and their people is the need of the hour so as to rebuild trust and to ensure a life of dignity for all.

One of the world’s greatest statesmen Nelson Mandela has warned that to deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity. One of the heroes of the South African revolution Archbishop Desmond Tutu says it means a great deal to those who are oppressed to know that they are not alone. Never let anyone tell you that what you are doing is insignificant. The popular former United States President John F. Kennedy has said the rights of every person are diminished when the rights of one person are threatened.