Embedded Files
2024.12.10
Seoul
Human Rights Day
Chantel Mackey
At the forefront of global crises, is the rampant abuse of human rights. While such problems occur in nearly every country, the concept of human rights remains ambiguous for many. Inherent in all people, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion or any other classification is a set of inalienable rights that should not be infringed upon. On December 10, 1948, the United Nations formally recognized such rights with the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It outlined 30 rights ranging from the freedoms from slavery and arbitrary arrest to the rights to social security and adequate living standards. Since then, Human Rights Day has been observed every December 10 to commemorate the declaration and to bring awareness to global human rights issues.
The Declaration of Human Rights was created at a time following the violence and disparities brought about from World War II and the Holocaust. Innovative in its nature, the Declaration was the first of its kind to be globally recognized as all 193 member states of the United Nations have ratified it. It calls upon member states to promote respect for the rights and to enforce them within their borders.
After 76 years since the Declaration’s establishment, many people still live without these guaranteed rights. States often commit human rights violations and conflicts further exacerbate poor living conditions. In 2021, nearly 50 million people were victims of modern-day slavery. By the end of 2023, there were 43.4 million refugees around the world. In this year alone, there are still 251 million children who are not currently attending school. On all fronts, human rights abuses continue to be a prevalent issue in modern society.
In an effort to restore human rights, the United Nations established Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 that would focus on 17 key goals. These goals include clean water and sanitation, no poverty, reduced inequalities, and quality education. While there are efforts to achieve these goals, the UN reports that only 17 percent of the goals are on target to be met. The majority of goals have made marginal progress and another 17 percent have actually regressed in the past nine years. It is important to address that many of these rollbacks to human rights progress occur due to the rise of conflicts. One in four young people live in an area of conflict. Such conditions are not conducive to human rights safeguarding as many experience violence, hunger, and lack of adequate healthcare.
Although there has been backsliding in human rights in the past few years, there have also been many advancements. Now, when engaging with global conflict, human rights is a central focus for the United Nations. The organization's Fund for Victims of Torture has assisted thousands of victims of torture through humanitarian, legal, and financial aid. Technological advancements have the potential to improve sanitation and access to clean water. There are also hundreds of NGOs all over the world that are dedicated to fighting for the rights of people.
On this Human Rights Day, it is crucial that we recognize the ongoing human rights violations. This day calls upon states and people alike to raise awareness about the unalienable rights that everyone has simply for being born. By doing this, we can create an environment that encourages people to openly share their experiences of human rights abuses happening against them. We can also actively fight against these abuses and promote peace and well-being for all.
Sources
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
WORLD REPORT 2024 Our Annual Review Of Human Rights Around The Globe
251M children and youth still out of school, despite decades of progress (UNESCO report)
Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development. SDG
Written by Chantel Mackey for Yonsei GSIS Human Rights Hub
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse