December 10, Human Rights Day-2022
AHM Nouman
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948 has stepped into 75th year on December 10, 2022. Translated in mostly 360 languages in the world, it is spreading human rights education and knowledge everywhere, and is a vibrant document of enjoying basic rights and freedom. If the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are applied properly, it will be universal truly for the both rich and poor.
Imposing tax, its collection and other activities should be performed and expanded in a corruption-free manner for the proper distribution of resources in a state. We have to ensure the implementation of human rights in accordance with international standards and maintaining native thoughts.
An international consensus has already been formed, according to which, the standards of good governance are 1. Accountability, 2. Transparency, 3. Participation, 4. Rule of Law, 5. Accountability, 6. Effectiveness, 7. Freedom, Rights and Equality, 8. Consensus, and 9. Strategic Vision. The 9 indicators are connected with each other. One without the other is ineffective. We have to stand on our own feet on the basis of equality.
In 2009, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Miz Navio said, “In today’s world, discrimination has taken many forms. It is extremely difficult for a person to understand, if he or she does not become a victim of discrimination”. Stressing the importance for ending discrimination, the United Nations in that year says “All human beings are born with equal dignity and rights”.
In 2011, the United Nations declared the slogan ‘Dignity and Justice for All’. In Toronto, Canada, I was present as a guest at a discussion on the occasion of the Human Rights Day on December 10 organized by Toronto Ombudsman Ms. Fiona Crean. In the discussion about the right to education in Canada, the main issue was how to improve the environment, classroom, books, transportation, food, health and education systems. There was also a rich stall. On the other hand, I pointed out that in our country children cannot buy books and clothes and cannot go to school due to poverty, lack of nutrition, school buildings, grounds, etc. So, human rights in rich countries are not equal to the human rights in developing countries, although the banner is the same.
On December 30 in 2015, the candidates for reserved women councilor posts in municipal elections in our country were allotted bangle, chocolate, doll, frog, scissors, vanity bag, harmonium, bees, grape and gas stove as election symbols. Election symbols should not be different for male or female candidates. This creates discrimination among the citizens and the Constitution does not accept it. The Election Commission should eliminate gender discrimination. Only then there will be a way to establish ‘voting rights, human rights’.
The theme of Human Rights Day-2022 is ‘Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All. Standup4HumanRights’. Almost every year, the Human Rights Day comes with same kind of words. Human rights should not be concentrated on speech, we have to cope, realize and make practice for it. Only then the freedom of human rights will blossom locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Fulfillment of human rights is the way to establish peace. Peace and poverty cannot walk together. Locally and nationally, we have to move following our needs to ensure human rights. Discrimination is the main cause of poverty. If the distribution system is proper then there will be no discrimination. Despite talking about eliminating discrimination only in speech, it is not possible to get out of the trap. It is a big vicious circle. It is not possible to overcome the problem without people’s efforts and needs political will. We must end discrimination in society.
Equality will be established if we can establish principles of our Declaration of Independence. For this reason, there is no alternative to implementing the 9th Standard Short set globally linking, Medium and Long Term Strategic Plan at the national level with international consensus.
The Fifth Amendment of the United States constitution says that no person shall be deprived of the rights of life, liberty and property. In this way, the United States is constantly improving and reforming its Constitution in the interest of protecting human rights. We can take initiatives to strengthen our National Human Rights Commission to way forward the way of human rights protection keeping its routine works being pro-active.
At the same time, according to our holy Constitution, the state will work for the protection of equality and justice. Today, we expect this from the State. As a 20-year long-term program to eliminate discrimination, the government has implemented a pilot project to meet the 6 basic rights (Maternity Allowance Centered, health, education, housing, employment and environment) under the ‘SAPNA (dream) Package’ at 10 upazilas. The government should replicate the project across the country.
None born as poor rather than created. In order to implement this in Bangladesh, I call upon the government to allocate more money for the social security investment sector by bringing 5 lakh mothers each year and targeting a total of one crore poor mothers in 20 years a generation.
Even in the financial year of 2022-23, the current government is providing maternity allowance to about 12 lakh poor mothers, which is a significant recognition to women’s reproductive rights given by our Creator. The investment has no loss but rather ever gaining.
The SAPNA project like SDG No. 1 Poverty Alleviation, No. 10 Eliminating Inequality and 16 Peace and Justice Effectiveness to Reduce Inequality will play an effective role and will work as based in reducing discrimination and . Otherwise, every year on the occasion of Human Rights Day, such beautiful calls will come and the formalities will continue. The exploited, oppressed, deprived people will remain stuck in the grip of discrimination, and there will be no way of liberation.
The author, former president, Bangladesh Human Rights Coordination Council in Bangladesh, and winner of Gusi International Peace Prize. E-mail: nouman@dorpbd.org
