Daily News Editorial

Standing up for Human Rights

10 December 2016

The adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948 marked a milestone in contemporary history. For the first time, it laid out fundamental human rights for all, to be universally protected. Today, 68 years later, the Declaration remains as relevant as ever. Today, we celebrate this day and the concept of Human Rights itself.

This year’s Human Rights Day theme and campaign, “Stand up for someone's rights today!”, is based on the Declaration's fundamental proposition that each one of us -- everywhere and at all times -- is entitled to the full range of human rights, and that it's everyone's responsibility to uphold them. Human Rights belong equally to each of us. They bind us together as a global community. Each one of us can make a difference, even in a small way.

This echoes the words of Eleanor Roosevelt: “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home -- so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. [...] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”

In fact, it would not be incorrect to say that Human Rights begin in the home itself. Parents should inculcate moral and human values in their children. Domestic violence is a major component of human rights violations. There should be better legal mechanism to deal with this issue, but no law can replace a genuine adherence to human rights.

If human rights can be ensured at home, the world will automatically be a better place. Right now, though, many of us are fearful about the way the world is heading. Disrespect for basic human rights continues to be wide-spread in all parts of the globe. Extremist movements subject people to horrific violence. Messages of intolerance and hatred spread on social media prey on our fears. There are many extremist politicians who harness these fears to their advantage. We have seen this phenomenon here in Sri Lanka as well.

Just a couple of years ago, Sri Lanka was in the Human Rights doghouse, with the then Government and the International Community at odds over the country’s human rights record especially during and after the final days of the conflict in 2009. The International Community was on the verge of imposing certain sanctions on Sri Lanka if the rulers did not acknowledge certain human rights concerns raised by the global community. And there was no sign that they were going to do so, except in a nominal way, such as the establishment of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). The then Government and its top figures attacked the UN human rights apparatus and its personnel which did us no favours in the eyes of the International Community. Even some of staunchest allies of that Government warned them of the consequences that would arise from battling with the UN on this score.

With the advent of the National Unity Government to power in January 2015, things have changed dramatically on the HR front. We are no longer being shunned by the world community. The Government is evolving a domestic accountability mechanism that will address the concerns raised by the International Community post-war. Sri Lanka now has a good working relationship with the UN, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Western countries. This does not mean that everything is perfect as far as our human rights record is concerned – no country can claim to have a perfect HR record – but rather that we have taken cognizance of the importance of improving human rights.

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has been strengthened and its role is well known in society. Even people in remote villages have been heard saying that they would “go to the Human Rights Commission” to seek a solution for some injustice faced by them. This is a healthy trend, because people know that there is an organisation that will stand up for their rights. There is a suggestion that Human Rights should be made a subject in the school curricula. This is indeed a good proposal that the authorities should ponder.

Human rights cover a broad spectrum, but there are a few that stand out – the right to life, the right to education and health, the right of free expression and the right to live without fear and suspicion. Governments and civil society organisations must work together to ensure that people around the world enjoy these rights. But remember, it is not only people who should have rights. Animals have rights too. Unfortunately, cruelty to animals is rather common throughout the world. Our ability to show compassion to animals is what makes us human. So in this Human Rights Day, as we think of our own rights, spare a thought for our animal friends as well.