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Human Rights Day

This year’s theme is ‘About our rights, our future, right now’

Published : Tuesday, 10 December, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 417
MS Siddiqui
Human Rights Day is marked forevery year on 10 December to commemorate the day in 1948 the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It commemorates the anniversary of one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The document enshrines 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. The declaration sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected. Are the human rights protected throughout the world including Bangladesh?

Our Ancestors took to the streets to fight against colonialism and apartheid, discrimination, inequality, slavery and racism. They struggled for equal pay for the women. They fought and even died for human rights, the right to vote, the right to protest. The recent movement of anti-quota in government employment was also for a human right of right to employment. The constitution guaranteed the right in article29 (1) "There shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens in respect of employment or office in the service of the Republic."

Human rights are not merely abstract ideas. Human rights are a powerful force for good. Upholding human rights isn't only about addressing present injustices. It's about driving significant social change by reshaping unjust societies and empowering marginalized groups.

They offer concrete norms, laws and a vital framework that protect against abuses, violations, and other harms, ensuring everyone, everywhere can live in dignity and respect.As a "common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations", the UDHR is a global blueprint for international, national, and local laws and policies and a bedrock of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.

International Human Rights Day is dedicated to promoting and safeguarding the fundamental rights and freedoms inherent in every human being. The UN believes that celebrating International Human Rights Day empowers individuals to recognize their rights, understand the rights of others, and act against discrimination, inequality, and injustice. It serves as a reminder that each person has a role to play in creating a world where human rights are universally upheld - ensuring dignity, equality, and freedom for all.This global observance serves as a reminder of the importance of human rights, emphasizing equality and dignity for all people.

In the recent rapidly evolving world, technological and scientific breakthroughs offer alluring glimpses of a brighter tomorrow - one filled with peace, prosperity, and progress for both humanity and our planet.But the escalating geopolitical tensions, horrific conflicts, widening inequality gaps and stagnation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), as well as the potential dangers brought by the same technological advances, and an increasingly urgent climate crisis.A single country alone cannot solve global issues at stake. International cooperation, grounded in human rights, is the best way to solve the massive challenges confronting us and bring positive change now and in the future.

The theme of the Human Rights Day 2024 is "About Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now". The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, in his video message to mark Human Rights Day 2024,"Human rights are about people. Those are about you and your life: your needs and wants and fears; your hopes for the present and the future,". This year's theme is a call to acknowledge the importance and relevance of human rights in our everyday lives. We have an opportunity to change perceptions by speaking up against hate speech, correcting misinformation and countering disinformation. This is the time to mobilize action to reinvigorate a global movement for human rights.

Human rights impact and concern everyone, everywhere, every day and, because of their centrality in our lives, they should empower individuals, communities, and peoples to build a better future. 

Under the theme of this year's UN Human Rights campaign focuses on how human rights are a pathway to solutions, as they play a critical role as a preventative, protective and transformative force for good, particularly in times of crisis.Human rights impact everyone, every day and in this campaign and the theme "Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now"will show the tangible impact of human rights by focusing on relevant global issues, showcasing impact, successes and practical solutions. 

On Human Rights Day this year, Human Rights activists hope to inspire everyone to acknowledge the importance and relevance of human rights, change perceptions by countering negative stereotypes and misconceptions, and mobilize actions to reinvigorate a global human rights movement.By protecting human rights, we protect our future and by advancing human rights, we create a fairer world.

Human rights in Bangladesh are enshrined as fundamental rights in Part III of the Constitution of Bangladesh and aligned with international human rights standards. All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law. 18 fundamental rights have been enshrined in our Constitution - all of them falling into the category of civil and political rights.However, all these rights are not absolute, some of them are subject to certain restrictions. 

Along with the Constitutional framework, there are institutional mechanisms such as National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Law Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, and Information Commission. Unfortunately, the role played these commissionsnotup to the human right standard.These institutes need urgent and substantial reforms to guarantee the integrity and also reform of the judicial system. 

Bangladesh has made progress in women's rights, issues like domestic violence, dowry-related violence, and limited access to education for women remain pressing concerns.

An effectively implementing the existing right laws is crucial to ensuring that citizens enjoy their rights without discrimination. However, constitutional and legal experts believe many of the country's laws require reform to enforce fundamental rights and reflect democratic values of the present time.

The world is facing challenges. Bangladesh is not immune to these challenges and needs a strong basis to deal with them.Bangladeshis are facing various forms of human rights violations just to sustain the interest of a handful of citizens. 

State should guarantee the free and unobstructed exercise of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, refrain from imposing undue restrictions on protests and political rallies and ensure effective accountability for serious violations of these fundamental freedoms. Moreover, combiningefforts from the citizens, government, civil society is needed to address the existing challenges and build a future where human rights are fully respected and protected for all.

The writer is a former Non-Government Adviser, Bangladesh Competition Commission and Legal Economist & CEO, Bangla Chemical


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