We the peoples of the United Nations
ON THE occasion of Human Rights Day this year, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has reaffirmed the interdependence of the three pillars of the United Nations – peace, sustainable development and human rights. Together, they form the basis of resilient and cohesive societies rooted in inclusion, justice and the rule of law. At a time of multiplying conflicts, intensifying humanitarian needs and rising hate speech, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reminds us that recognition of “the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”. Step by step, we can build a future based on our shared values of equality and human dignity.
The notion that human rights are an impediment to peace, therefore, has been laid to rest. Human rights must be a central component of the roadmap to peace, everywhere. In the words of the secretary-general, “upholding human rights is in the interest of all. Respect for human rights advances well-being for every individual, stability for every society, and harmony for our interconnected world”.
That is the spirit that underlies the UN’s recently launched “Together” campaign to fight the xenophobia faced by so many refugees and migrants. “That is also the spirit we will need,” he said, “to combat extremism, halt the erosion of respect for international humanitarian law, and defend civil society groups facing increasingly harsh measures aimed at preventing them from fulfilling their vital role.”
Reaffirming that States have the primary responsibility for upholding human rights, the secretary-general also stressed that “the United Nations, along with partners around the globe, must continue to strengthen responses to abuses, and work better to prevent human rights crises. All of us can – and must act in our daily lives to advance the human rights of the people around us. This is the driving force behind a new global campaign being launched by the UN Human Rights Office – ‘Stand Up for Someone’s Rights Today’.”
This is the call from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’an AlHussein: “Today’s events in the world,” he said, “make many among us anxious – even fearful. We see human beings in pain . . . And in this toxic tide of hatred which is slowly rising in many societies, some of the deepest, most essential principles which safeguard peaceful societies risk being swept away.
“We need to stop this. And I believe we can. We - you and I – can draw the line. We don’t have to stand by when the haters drive wedges of hostility between communities. We can build bridges. We can raise our voices. We can stand up for the values of decent, compassionate societies. When someone is abused and afraid, we can step forward to help safeguard her rights. When a vulnerable person is bullied, we can step in. Wherever there is discrimination and exploitation, we can speak up and let it be known that we oppose this, and seek to stop it. We can join others to publicly lobby for better leadership, better laws and greater respect for human dignity.”
Stand up for someone’s rights today.