XHABIR DERALLA
When at an international level the United Nations emphasizes the fundamental human right to equality and freedom of all human rights, it could be a signal that things have started going wrong.
The theme of International Human Rights Day in 2021 is “Equality, Reducing Inequality, Advancing Human Rights”, based on the common framework for action of the UN system “Leaving no one behind: equality and non-discrimination at the heart of sustainable development“. The efforts are in line with the UN to support member countries in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Sounds simple, but also just as much unachievable. Especially when it’s put in a bureaucratic framework of international institutions and in a decade framework. But man lives every day, every hour, every minute. And to live in a dignified manner, one needs to enjoy basic human rights and freedoms.
Human rights are in a critical situation everywhere around the world. It became apparent particularly after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, but even in previous years with the latest Russian geopolitical games and the hybrid war between the global centers of power. Hence the need to return “back towards our roots”, to emphasizing basic human rights and freedoms.
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”, is said in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that the world adopted on December 10, 1948, wanting to forever put an end to the immense human suffering of World War II. That was also the year of the Informbiro, when Tito said NO to the Stalin hegemonic policy. At the time, the Cold War was already raging, especially after the adoption of the Truman Doctrine in 1947/48.
At the same time, from year to year, decade to decade, the demands for respect for human rights and freedoms became ever more vocal. States had no choice but to listen to those demands, certainly, after previously having determining that police batons and water cannons did not work, like those in 1968. Or the recent protests in the US under the common motto „Black Lives Matter”.
The most translated document in the world, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, has also become the most abused. Even though it is available everywhere, it is still unknown to many people. Even worse is the fact that even those who read it, do not understand it enough. This particularly refers to the universality and indivisibility of human rights – all human rights and freedoms belong to all human beings, simply because they are born as human beings. Without exception. And no one has the right to dispute or violate those rights. So, he who violates human rights and freedoms is a criminal.
The centers of power in this already multipolar world do not hesitate to infringe on the basic human rights and freedoms. At the same time, with their powerful propaganda machineries to make their actions, policies and practices invisible. The propaganda and information chaos that autocratic regimes with headquarters in Moscow, Beijing and many other capitals generate, including the European Union itself, obscure the reality in which the contemporary man lives.
Institutions whose mission is protection of human rights and freedoms are often silent to serious violations of human rights, and a greater part of civil society deals with salon activities and “indexing”, while human dignity is increasingly more and increasingly more often trampled under unskillful excuses.
What can be done after all this has been said? Loudness, solidarity and an uncompromising commitment to human rights and freedoms of every human being, without exception.
The fight continues!
Translation: N. Cvetkovska
