On this day in 1948, almost 75 years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was first proclaimed. Prompted by the atrocities of World War Two, the UDHR was a significant undertaking for an international community that had never agreed on anything before, let alone a set of common values that established a benchmark of universally agreed rights for all people across the globe. In 2023, the UN will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the UDHR, but as this is such a momentous occasion, the celebration starts now. Over the coming year we will be asked to look back and reflect on the acts of war that lead to its development and the progress in human rights that has been achieved. It will also be a time for sober evaluation of the state of human rights in the world today as we continue to witness gross invasions and violations of human rights and a global backlash from violent and repressive authoritarian regimes against rights that most of us consider inherent to all people. In fact the UN states, that the "greatest crises today are rooted in human rights" - essentially, the lack thereof.
This year the theme for the International Day of Human Rights is "Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All." These three things, dignity, freedom and justice, comprise the essence of the UDHR and are highlighted throughout the document beginning with the opening statement that says:
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.
For those of us who live in nations with a high standard of living, respect for the rule of law and the voice of the people, and have witnessed a progressive expansion of human rights over recent decades, the importance of the UDHR and the work of the UN may fly under our radar. However, as we see around the world, rights that are granted can also be taken away. Vigilance is always necessary and so we are being called upon to stand up for the rights of others. If we believe that:
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights… (and) are endowed with reason and conscience…
Then…
(We) should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. (Article 1)
Can you imagine the difference we could make in the world if we treated every individual as if they were our brother or sister; if we advocated for their rights and defended them against attacks based on discrimination or ignorance.
The importance and influence of the UDHR cannot be overestimated. It has underpinned the political movements for human rights, from the US civil rights movement of the 1960s, the second wave women's rights movements of the 1970s and the ongoing disability rights, indigenous rights and gay rights movements. While disability is not specifically mentioned in the UDHR, Article 2 states:
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status…
Therefore all people with disabilities have the right to…
- work, free choice of employment and favourable conditions (Article 23)
- an adequate standard of living (Article 25)
- an education (Article 26)
- and participation and enjoyment of culture, arts and scientific advancement (Article 27)
These are just a few of the rights specified in the UDHR. Here in Australia there is still much we have to do to secure better access to employment and standards of living for people with disabilities. The unemployment rate of people with disabilities is double that of people without disabilities, and has not moved for decades. Many are still languishing on the disability support pension when they could be earning an independent income if only employers could look past the disability to see the worker within. Many are trapped in a legal battle with the NDIA for supports that are both reasonable and necessary for their lives. We never know when we or one of our loved ones may become a member of the disability community, either through accident or illness, so these battles could one day be critical issues for our lives too. Human rights are personal.
Dignity, freedom and justice are personal. The personal is political.
In the aftermath of World War Two the international community vowed "to never again allow atrocities like those of that conflict to happen again."
Vigilance is essential.
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