Fundamental human rights

Salil Saroj

Fundamental human rights are universal and inalienable and all people in the world are entitled to enjoy them without discrimination on the ground of race, colour, sex, ethnicity, age, language, religion, national or social origin, disability, property, birth or other status. Life of inherent liberty, equality and dignity can only provide the basic foundation of freedom with justice and peace in the world. It is a matter of utmost concern that disregard and contempt of human rights are being indulged in various areas which outrage the conscience of humankind. Though the autonomous institutions like the independent Judiciary, free Media, the civil society groups and the multi-party system have been making significant contributions towards protecting and promoting human rights in our country, the role played by our legislative institutions, particularly our Parliament in this direction is, indeed, commendable. It has been responsible for putting in place several legislations of farreaching effect in this regard.

Human rights have no meaning if there is no sustainable human development to eliminate poverty, promote human dignity and rights, and provide equal opportunities for all through good governance. This is of particular relevance in the context of the on-going process of globalization and its potential for excluding and marginalizing the weaker sections and people with limited resources. It is essential that efforts to promote human rights must afford protection to all who face exclusion and marginalisation. Development, which encompasses within its fold the social, economic and political milieu, is only possible in the real sense of the term, if poverty is eradicated, which is the biggest threat and challenge for human rights and the single-most debilitating factor that has prevented people from realizing their full potential.

Unfortunately, the fruits of development have failed to reach all our citizens in the same proportion and, as a result, inequality is continuously growing along with the gap between the haves and the have-nots. We must ensure that the fruits of development will reach every section of the people equitably. We need to have vested interest in promoting inclusive democracy in place of diversities- be it religious, cultural or linguistic, reinforced by a commitment to protect their rights and interests against intrusions of all kinds. The rights and opportunities enjoyed by every individual make democracy distinct. But, most disconcertingly, our country now is witnessing a growing tendency to promote sectarianism and divisiveness among our people for narrow sectarian interest which undermines democracy and which will create conditions for the infringement of human rights. Thus, there is an urgent need for making human rights education an integral part of our formal education system at all levels-schools, colleges and Universities, which will help build a universal culture of human rights through imparting knowledge and skills and through moulding attitudes.

Even after centuries of experiments with democracy which is based on universal franchise, liberty and equality, women continue to be discriminated all over the world and are subject to many forms of human rights violations. Crimes against women which are increasing exponentially are, in fact, crimes against humanity. Our Constitution confers on men and women equal rights and opportunities in political, social and economic spheres and it is essential that all steps should be taken to facilitate women's empowerment in real terms, apart from reservation of seats in our higher representative bodies.