Sunday, December 10, marked the 75th anniversary of Human Rights Day. This day observes the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document drafted by countries around the world in the wake of World War II. The declaration outlines the fundamental rights of all human beings, such as life, liberty, and freedom from cruel, inhumane treatment. To commemorate its anniversary, the White House released a proclamation that the United States “continues to defend fundamental freedoms and human rights wherever they are under threat.”
It can be difficult to recognize and celebrate such anniversaries as we witness ongoing humanitarian crises around the world in places such as Sudan, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Haiti, Ethiopia, Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Syrian Arab Republic. We also have had several weeks of headline news about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza with reports of 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced and forced into small encampments, increasing the risk of starvation and disease as families go days without food, water, shelter, or medical care.
As we commemorate Human Rights Day, equity work implores us to look back at history and also consider systems of power, privilege, and oppression. Whose rights have we actually deemed inalienable, and whose are still up for debate? Whose lives and stories are valuable, and whose do we treat as dispensable? We encourage you to reflect on questions like this in your own lives, and as we approach a new year, let us collectively work toward a future that encompasses the dignity and worth of all human beings.
No comments:
Post a Comment