Human Rights Day 2024: Eye-opening Conditions of Human Rights To Be Tackled in 24/25
Human Rights Day is observed annually on 10 December around the world. It commemorates the anniversary of the world’s most groundbreaking global pledge: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark 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 was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948, and sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.
The UDHR has been translated into 577 languages, making it the most translated document in the world ¹. It has inspired more than 60 human rights instruments and has become a cornerstone of international human rights law.
Human Rights Day is celebrated globally with various events, conferences, and campaigns. The day is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in promoting and protecting human rights, as well as to highlight ongoing challenges and concerns.
Each year, the United Nations selects a theme for Human Rights Day. Recent themes have included “Our Rights, Our Freedoms, Always” (2015), “Stand up for someone’s rights today!” (2016), and “Recover Better – Stand Up for Human Rights” (2020) ².
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.
Overall, Human Rights Day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of promoting and protecting human rights for all individuals, everywhere.
The day is celebrated in various ways around the world, including:
Educational Events: Schools, universities, and organizations often hold seminars, lectures, and discussions to educate people about human rights.
Cultural Activities: Art exhibits, film screenings, and performances that focus on human rights themes are common.
Campaigns and Advocacy: Many human rights organizations use this day to launch campaigns and raise awareness about ongoing human rights issues.
Award Ceremonies: Some groups and institutions give out awards to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to human rights.
Online Activities: Social media campaigns, webinars, and online discussions help spread awareness and engage a wider audience.
Human Rights Day serves as a reminder of the progress that has been made and the work that still needs to be done to ensure that everyone enjoys their human rights.
The First Human Rights Charter/Declaration of The World
It is often regarded as the first human rights charter’s Last Sermon: First Ever Human Rights Declaration. Prophet Muhammad’s رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم last Hajj sermon, delivered in 632 A.D., is considered a significant historical document that laid down principles of human rights, equality, and justice Last Sermon: First Ever Human Rights Declaration.
In a hadith included in the Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abi Dawood,[8] and Sunan Ibn Majah,[9] Jabir ibn Abd Allah narrated details of Muhammad’s رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم pilgrimage and reported the following words of his sermon:
Here are the main points of the sermon:
1. O, people! Listen, I don’t think I’ll be among you next year. Listen very carefully to my words, and convey them to those who could not reach here.
2. O, people! Just as this day, this month and this place are honourable. In the same way, the life, honour, and property of other Muslims are sacred. (You can’t tamper with it).
3. Return the wealth and trust of the people to them.
4. Don’t bother anyone, don’t harm anyone. May you also be safe.
5. Remember, you have to meet Allah, and Allah will question you about your deeds.
6 . Allah abolished usury, so abolish (forgive) all usury from today.
7. You have rights over women, and they have rights over you. While they are fulfilling their rights, you fulfil all their responsibilities.
8. Maintain a gentle attitude towards women, because they are your partners and selfless servants.
9. Never even come close to adultery.
10. O, people! Listen to me carefully, worship only Allah, complete the five obligatory prayers, fast in Ramadan, and pay Zakat. If you can, do Hajj.
11 . Do not fall into prejudice based on language, colour, race, black over white and white over black, Arab over a foreigner, and foreigner over Arab, every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. You are all equal in the eyes of Allah. Superiority is only due to piety.
12. Remember! One day you will be present before Allah for the accountability of your actions, be careful! Do not go astray after me.
13. Remember! No prophet will come after me, nor will a new religion be brought. Understand my words well.
14. I am leaving two things for you, the Qur’an and my Sunnah, if you follow them you will never go astray.
15. Listen! Those of you who are there, pass it on to the next people. And then pass it on to the next people. And it is possible that the latter can understand (and act on) my words better than the former.
Then raised HIS blessed face towards the sky and said,
16. O Allah! Be a witness, I have delivered your message to your people.
Note: May Allah include us among those who listen/read this message and act upon it. And be the one to spread it. May Allah bless us all with the love and Sunnah of the Prophetرسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, peace and blessings be upon him, in this world, and may he gather us with his Prophet Muhammadرسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, peace and blessings be upon him, in Paradise in the Hereafter, Amen.
Importance/Significance of the Day
Human Rights Day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of human rights and brings global attention to the issues faced by oppressed peoples. However, the practical impact on the ground can be mixed. While the day raises awareness and mobilizes support, translating this into tangible change for oppressed people can be challenging.
Many organizations and activists use Human Rights Day to highlight ongoing abuses and advocate for policy changes. For example, campaigns and events organized on this day can put pressure on governments and institutions to address human rights violations. However, the effectiveness of these efforts often depends on the political will and resources available in each country.
In some cases, Human Rights Day has led to significant progress, such as the adoption of new laws or the release of political prisoners. In other cases, the impact has been more limited, with ongoing violations and systemic issues persisting despite the attention brought by the day.
Ultimately, while Human Rights Day is an important platform for advocacy and awareness, real change requires sustained efforts beyond just one day. It’s a call to action for everyone to continue working towards a world where human rights are respected and protected for all.
Remembering Israel-Palestinian Issue
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is indeed one of the most pressing human rights issues globally. The situation is complex and deeply rooted in historical, political, and social factors. Despite numerous international efforts, tangible steps to resolve the conflict have been limited.
Several factors contribute to the lack of effective action:
- Political Interests: Many countries have strategic alliances and political interests that influence their stance on the conflict. For example, the United States and several European countries have historically supported Israel, while many Muslim-majority countries support the Palestinian cause.
- International Law and Diplomacy: The conflict involves violations of international humanitarian law by both sides, making it difficult for international bodies to take decisive action without appearing biased.
- Humanitarian Crisis: The humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank is dire, with widespread poverty, lack of basic services, and ongoing violence. International aid is often focused on immediate relief rather than long-term solutions.
- Global Attention: While the conflict receives significant media coverage, other global issues often overshadow it, leading to fluctuating levels of international attention and action.
The international community, including the United Nations, continues to call for a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, achieving lasting peace requires addressing the underlying issues and ensuring accountability for human rights violations on both sides.
It’s a deeply challenging situation, and the path to peace is fraught with obstacles.
The perception that the US and Europe are not taking sufficient action to stop human rights violations against Palestinians is indeed prevalent in many Muslim-majority countries. This perception is influenced by several factors:
- Historical and Political Alliances: The US and many European countries have long-standing political and military alliances with Israel. This often translates into strong diplomatic support for Israel, which can be seen as a lack of concern for Palestinian rights.
- Media Coverage: The way media in different regions cover the conflict can shape public perception. In many Muslim-majority countries, media coverage tends to highlight the suffering of Palestinians and the perceived inaction of Western countries.
- International Responses: While the US and European countries have condemned the violence and called for peace, their actions, such as military aid to Israel and vetoing UN resolutions critical of Israel, can be seen as contradictory to their stated commitment to human rights.
It’s important to note that the situation is complex, and there are efforts within the US and Europe to address human rights concerns. However, the perception of bias and inaction remains strong among many people in Muslim-majority countries.
Present Human Rights Situation in Pakistan
The current regime in Pakistan under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has faced significant criticism for human rights violations. Reports indicate that the government has clamped down on media, NGOs, and political opposition, using counterterrorism and sedition laws to intimidate critics. There have been numerous allegations of unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and harsh prison conditions. Additionally, there have been crackdowns on peaceful protests, attacks against journalists, and violence against religious minorities.
The situation is complex and deeply concerning, with various factors contributing to the ongoing human rights issues in the country. The international community continues to monitor and call for improvements, but tangible progress remains challenging.
The current regime in Pakistan under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has faced significant criticism for various human rights violations. Here are some of the key issues:
- Freedom of Expression and Media: There have been numerous reports of threats and attacks on journalists and media outlets, creating a climate of fear and self-censorship. The government has used counterterrorism and sedition laws to intimidate critics.
- Unlawful Killings and Enforced Disappearances: There have been credible reports of unlawful or arbitrary killings, including extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances by government agents.
- Torture and Inhumane Treatment: Cases of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by government agents have been reported.
- Harsh Prison Conditions: Prison conditions in Pakistan are often harsh and life-threatening.
- Political Repression: The government has been accused of arbitrary detention and repression of political opponents.
- Religious and Ethnic Discrimination: Violence against religious minorities and other marginalized groups has intensified, with blasphemy-related violence being a significant issue.
- Gender-Based Violence: There have been extensive reports of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, sexual violence, and forced marriages.
- Restrictions on Civil Society: The government has imposed serious restrictions on the freedom of peaceful assembly and association, targeting NGOs and civil society organizations.
- Economic and Social Rights: The economic crisis in Pakistan has jeopardized millions of people’s rights to health, food, and an adequate standard of living.
These violations paint a troubling picture of the human rights situation in Pakistan under the current regime. The international community continues to call for improvements, but tangible progress remains challenging.
Media restrictions, including internet censorship and social media bans, can significantly impact the work of service providers in the digital and e-commerce market.
Key indicators these restrictions harm the industry:
- Limited Reach: Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are crucial for businesses to reach a global audience. Restrictions can limit the ability of businesses to market their products and services to potential customers.
- Reduced Customer Engagement: Social media is a primary channel for customer engagement and feedback. Restrictions can hinder businesses from interacting with their customers, addressing their concerns, and building brand loyalty.
- Economic Impact: The digital economy relies heavily on the free flow of information and communication. Restrictions can stifle innovation, reduce competition, and ultimately harm economic growth.
- Supply Chain Disruptions: Many e-commerce businesses rely on digital platforms for logistics and supply chain management. Restrictions can disrupt these processes, leading to delays and increased costs.
- Loss of Trust: When governments impose restrictions, it can create a sense of instability and unpredictability. This can erode trust among consumers and investors, making it harder for businesses to operate effectively.
Overall, media restrictions can create a challenging environment for digital and e-commerce service providers, limiting their ability to grow and succeed.
: [Human Rights Watch](https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/pakistan)
: [U.S. Department of State](https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/528267_PAKISTAN-2023-HUMAN-RIGHTS-REPORT.pdf)
: [Amnesty International USA](https://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/pakistan/)-
rights-violations-in-Pakistan)