Human Rights Day
“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home.” – Eleanor Roosevelt.
Every year on December 10th, the world comes together to celebrate Human Rights Day, a reminder of the shared values that bind us as human beings—dignity, freedom, equality, and justice. It’s a day to reflect, to act, and to reignite our collective commitment to a world where these ideals are more than words—they are a lived reality.
The story of human rights is a tale of courage and resilience. From the ancient edicts of Samrat Ashoka to the French Revolution’s Declaration of the Rights of Man, humanity has fought to uphold the values of justice and equality. But it wasn’t until the aftermath of World War II that the global community truly came together. Shocked by the horrors of the Holocaust, the world declared, “Never again.” In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was born—a groundbreaking document that gave humanity a shared moral compass and a vision of a better future.
Human rights commissions across the world didn’t emerge overnight. They were born out of a deep and collective awareness of humanity’s historical and ongoing injustices. The need for these commissions arises from the societal realization that basic human dignity was often violated, either by oppressive governments, corrupt systems, or societal structures that ignored the inherent worth of the individual. Their creation, particularly after the devastation of World War II, was not just a response to immediate atrocities but an effort to prevent future violations and build a more just world.
Throughout history, societies have been built on hierarchies where certain groups—be it due to race, gender, class, or religion—have been marginalized, oppressed, or exploited. These entrenched power dynamics, sometimes justified by tradition, religion, or perceived superiority, created an environment where rights were not universal but conditional upon one’s identity or status.
Nelson Mandela’s powerful words remind us that hatred is not innate but learned. He poignantly states, “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
Mandela highlights that hatred, often stemming from deeply ingrained social prejudices, is a learned behaviour, passed down through societal structures, histories, and unjust power dynamics.
Throughout history, marginalized groups have been oppressed based on race, religion, gender, or social status. These power structures, often justified by tradition, religion, or perceived superiority, have created environments where rights were selectively granted, not equally applied. Mandela’s message calls for a transformative shift—if we can unlearn hatred, we can replace it with love and respect, fostering a world where human rights are universally protected, and inequality is dismantled.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous quote, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” aligns with the Social Conflict Theory of crime, which emphasizes how power imbalances and inequality in society contribute to criminal behaviour and injustice. This theory suggests that social structures, shaped by economic, political, and cultural factors, create conditions where powerful groups maintain their dominance by suppressing the rights of less privileged groups. When one community experiences injustice, it sends ripples throughout society, undermining the universal application of justice and creating a breeding ground for human rights violations.
In today’s world, human rights violations continue to manifest in alarming ways, despite progress over the decades. Modern-day slavery, affecting millions in industries like agriculture, construction, and sex trafficking, remains a pervasive issue. Gender inequality persists globally, with women and girls facing discrimination, violence, and limited access to education and healthcare.
The quote underscores the importance of addressing injustice at its roots. If human rights are to be universally respected, we must confront all forms of injustice, whether they affect individuals or entire communities. Injustice anywhere, whether in a small community or a distant land, ultimately weakens the foundations of justice everywhere, contributing to the erosion of human rights globally.
The journey of human rights is proof that change is possible, even in the darkest times. From dismantling apartheid to securing women’s suffrage, progress has always been powered by people who refused to give up.
On this Human Rights Day, let us be those people. Let us be the voice that speaks out, the hands that build, and the hearts that care. Together, we can create a world where human rights aren’t just ideals—they are the reality for everyone, everywhere.
As Nelson Mandela once said, “It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.”
Prachi Bandaram (prachibandaram@gmail.com)
Reference:
1. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/wpcontent/uploads/sites/134/2016/07/Human-Rights-A-brief-intro-2016.pdf
2. AMBEDKAR’S PROPHECY : POVERTY OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN INDIA -JSTOR
3. https://www.unicef.org/