“Reflecting on Human Rights Day 2023: Addressing Global Human Rights Issues and Advocacy” with 03 goals of Human Rights 75

What is the significance of Human Rights Day 2023?

For ensuring the freedom, equality and dignity of People of worldwide, Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948. This year is the 75th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights dates, thereby, Human Rights Day 2023 will be celebrated on 10th December to refresh and exemplify the needs of our time and make headway it’s promise of freedom, equality and justice. Under the leadership of UN Human Rights, Human Rights 2023 will be celebrated with goals to achieve Human Rights 75 which is a yearlong High Level event going to be held in December 2023.

The main objective of the Human Rights 75 is to change and progress on the ground of promise of freedom, equality and justice and accountability of all countries. Thereby, Under the chairmanship of Human Rights, Human Rights 75 comes with 03 goals such as:

1. Promoting universality and indivisibility
2. Looking to the future.
3. Bolstering the human rights ecosystem

These above goals will address the Human Rights issues related to different sphere of the world. Issues related to human such as:

1. Civil and Political Rights: These include the rights to freedom of speech, assembly, and association, as well as the right to a fair trial, freedom from torture, and the right to participate in government. For examples:
   • The Chinese government heavily censors online content, restricting citizens’ access to information and punishing dissenting opinions on social media platforms through censorship, arrests, or re-education programs.

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     • Moreover Freedom of Assembly in Hong Kong can be seen During the pro-democracy protests authorities used tear gas, water cannons, and arrests to disperse peaceful demonstrators, limiting their right to assemble freely.
     • Even the basic rights of human beings were exploited in the case of Iran’s legal system which has faced criticism for unfair trials, especially in cases involving political dissent, with accusations of forced confessions and lack of access to legal representation.
     • Saudi Arabia’s monarchy restricts political freedoms, with no elections for national leadership and limitations on freedom of expression for dissenting voices.
2. Social and Economic Rights: Access to education, healthcare, adequate housing, and the right to work and receive fair wages fall under this category. Addressing poverty, inequality, and ensuring social protection are crucial aspects.
   • For example: In some countries, girls face significant barriers to education. According to UNESCO, in sub-Saharan Africa, 9 million girls between ages 6 to 11 will never attend school, compared to 6 million boys. In its report, around 258 million children and adolescents worldwide do not attend school. Around 617 million children and adolescents cannot read proficiently despite spending at least four years in school.
   • As per WHO reports, around half the global population lacks access to essential healthcare services. In low-income countries like Afghanistan, Burundi and Central African Republic etc, this number can rise to over 80%.
   • The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that there are around 25 million people worldwide subjected to forced labour, with 16 million people exploited in domestic work, construction, and agriculture.
3. Gender Equality and Women’s Rights: Promoting equal opportunities, ending discrimination and violence against women and girls, ensuring reproductive rights, and addressing gender-based inequalities are vital human rights concerns.
   • According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021, on an average, women globally earn about 63% of what men earn.
   • Statistics from the World Health Organization suggest that about 1 in 3 women globally have experienced physical or sexual violence, predominantly from an intimate partner and around 800 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy, childbirth and unsafe abortions occurs annually due to inadequate access to healthcare services.
   • Despite progress, countries like Pakistan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Iran still have discriminatory laws affecting women’s rights, such as restrictions on property rights, inheritance, or employment opportunities.
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4. Racial and Ethnic Discrimination: Combating racism, xenophobia, and intolerance, ensuring equality and non-discrimination for all ethnicities and races are fundamental human rights issues.
   • For example: According to the UN, hate crimes against ethnic and racial minorities in different countries like African American, Native American, Dalits in India, Ainu in Japan, Uighurs in China and Afro-Latinos in Latin America have been on the rise globally, reflecting deep-seated prejudices.
5. Rights of Refugees and Migrants: Protecting the rights of refugees and migrants, including their right to seek asylum, access to basic services, and ensuring safe and orderly migration, is a pressing concern.
   • For example: The right to seek asylum is a fundamental human right. However, many refugees face barriers when attempting to access this right. In the instant case of, Gaza and Israel war, we can see major displacement internally. Even the neighbour countries did not allow a displacement.
   • As per UNHCR reports, The global refugee crisis is evident as the total count of individuals who have been forcibly displaced worldwide reached 82.4 million as of mid-2020. This figure encompasses refugees, asylum-seekers, and internally displaced people.

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6. Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Recognizing and protecting the rights of indigenous communities like Native American Tribes Navajo, Maori in New Zealand, Adivasi in India, San/Bushmen in Southern Africa, and Sami in Northern Europe inhabiting parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia, to their lands, cultures, languages, and traditions while preventing discrimination and marginalization.
7. Environmental Rights: Ensuring a safe, clean, and sustainable environment, addressing climate change, and protecting ecosystems while considering the rights of present and future generations.
8. Freedom from Discrimination and Inequality: Upholding the rights of all individuals regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other status, and combating discrimination and inequality in all forms.

We should follow Universal Declaration of Human Rights preamble and articles outline the fundamental rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status on Human Rights Day 2023 to resolve the Human Rights issues and spread Humanity between people worldwide irrespective of any discrimination. Unity in Diversity is the key to resolve the issues on which goals of Human Rights 75 are based.