10th December is observed as an international human rights day. In 1948, the UN general assembly adopted the universal declaration of human rights on this day. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the most widely translated and published language in the world. It is translated and published in over 500 languages.
Then, it was proclaimed as the common standard for all people and nations on the planet. The formal inception commenced in 1950. This is the 70th international human rights day. All these 70 years, Human rights and its necessity have encompassed several dimensions, reformation and reaffirmation however the basics of human rights have always been uniform across the globe.
Individuals and societies shall strive the progressive measures, national and international, to sustain their universal and effective recognition and observance through Human Rights.
Although the Declaration is not a binding document, it inspired more than 60 instruments of human rights which together constitute an international standard of human rights. Today the general consent of all United Nations Member States on the basic Human Rights laid down in the Declaration makes it even stronger and emphasizes the relevance of Human Rights in our daily lives.
In the context of COVID-19 and in the post covid world where mutations of virus are again prevalent and their responses this year, Governments and leaderships must address Human rights fundaments in their strategy and interventions. Upholding human rights obligations in responses to COVID is the challenge for this year, every people must have equal access to health be it COVID or any other.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world to a major crossroads: either we take the route of collective action and concretely address the pervasive inequalities that have risen across the globe, or we continue on the route filled with deep-rooted injustices and pervasive inequalities.
The slogan of Human Rights Day 2021 is "We recover better, fairer and greener from this crisis." On the eve of Human Rights Day, the threat of the omicron virus version, which is added again, remains the same.
Closure of education institutes, travel bans, and other restrictions of post COVID world had a huge question mark upon human right fundaments, forthcoming years must answer these questions. The public health crisis is fast becoming an economic and social crisis and a protection and human rights crisis rolled into one. In some, ongoing crises, especially armed conflict, put human rights and other international legal protections under extra pressure. The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated the vulnerability of the least protected in society.
Whatever the situation could be, Human Right is unquestionable.
Utmost wishes for the day.
Suyog Dhakal
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