The Ongoing Fight For
Human Rights

A month ago, if you were to ask me what my 30 human rights were, I would’ve said, “I have no clue.” But after taking a Human Rights Course, I’ve learned that we DO all have human rights, simply because we are human. But what shocked me the most was that people around the world are still denied these rights every day.

 

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was created in 1948 by the United Nations in response to World War II and all of the horrible things that happened during the war. It was the first time that countries were able to agree that rights need universal protection in order for people to live their lives freely, equally, and in dignity.

 

I originally thought that Human Rights and Civil rights were the same thing; however they are both very different. Civil rights only apply to citizens of a particular country and are granted by a government and ensure equal treatment under the law, such as the right to vote and free speech. Human rights are inherent to ALL people and are based on human dignity such as the right to life, liberty, and education. They apply to all regardless of citizenship and nationality. 

 

However, even though the UDHR lays out each of the 30 human rights very clearly, it’s important to know that since it was adopted as a declaration, it is not a legally binding document. This means that it is not mandatory that all countries follow it since it is not law - and a lot of them still don't.

 

So why is this a problem, and why should we care? Our human rights are currently being violated all over the world

 

• In Afghanistan, girls are banned from going to school beyond sixth grade.

  • Article 26 of the UDHR states that we all have a right to education no matter someone’s gender or where they live. Education should be accessible to all and what is occurring in Afghanistan is completely violating this human right. 

 

• Over 63 countries still criminalize same-sex relationships.

  • This goes against Article 19, which is the right to freedom of expression. We all have the right to make up our own minds, to think how we want, and to share our ideas with other people. This includes the ability to express who you are and love without fearing being punished.

 

• Nearly 700 million people live in extreme poverty.

  • Article 25 states everyone has a right to a good life and a good quality standard of living, yet people are still living in poverty. Everyone should have access to food, housing, and medical care.

 

These aren't just numbers, they represent REAL people. Real people who deserve to live their lives freely, equally, and in dignity just as these rights were intended for. 

 

Being able to learn about the UDHR showed me that human rights aren’t guaranteed just because they are written down somewhere. They depend on whether governments choose to respect and protect them. And that's where WE come in. It’s up to us now to advocate for these rights and to hold leaders accountable. These rights shouldn't just be ideas; they should be realities for everyone. 

 

After all, human rights are based on the principle of respect for the individual - so why is it so hard to get everyone on board? I wish I knew the answer, but it seems like power and control get in the way of getting everyone to agree. The best thing we can do is educate ourselves and keep fighting for these rights. If we abandon them now, then things are just going to get much worse