On this day, 64 years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was born. Article 1 finally recognized that : “ All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood”. This document, translated in more than 380 languages and dialects, is in fact the most translated document in the world and has been viewed since as a revolutionary declaration. However, more than five decades later, millions of people around the world still do not reap the rights mentioned in this document.
Even though the Universal Declaration should be in fact embraced universally, it is sadly not the case that all individuals around the world benefit from all those rights.
Here are a couple of facts found on the United Nations’ website:
- According to the International Labour Office (ILO) about 250 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are currently working, when they should be in school getting an education.
- Around 160 million children do not have access to adequate food and nutrition.
- Over 1.3 billion people in developing countries survive with less than 1 dollar per day.
- 2 million girls each year are under risk of being victims of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
- Ninety per cent of children with disabilities in developing countries do not attend school according to UNESCO.
- Persons with disabilities are more likely to be victims of violence or rape, according to a 2004 British study, and less likely to obtain police intervention, legal protection or preventive care.
We tend to look at the bigger picture and portray Human Rights violations as only occurring in developing nations. However, even in our cherished country, certain individuals do not have access to certain basic Human Rights. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom signed in 1982 is an instrument established to protect Canadian citizens. However, as late as 1996, the Residential schools implemented by the Government of Canada in the 19th century, were still open. Around 150 000 Aboriginals, Inuits and Métis children were taken away from their homes and communities and put into schools that aimed to assimilate them. The Canadian Government declared at the time that it was best the best way to “integrate” them into the new Modern Western Canadian society. Children were victims of violence and sexual abuse, along with being forced to learn a new language, religion and culture. While they started getting compensations in May 2005, the communities had to wait until June 2008 to receive an official apology from the Government.
According to article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control (1948).
Recently, the Canadian government has taken away the access of refugees and asylum seekers to basic health-coverage in the country. This decision was highly publicized: one could argue that this is a clear violation of Human Rights, while it is seen by the Government as a way to protect their citizens as well as their tax money, since refugees and asylum seekers are not considered citizens of Canada and do not acquire the same rights as citizens and permanent residents do.
While we may think that we live in a perfect world and that our Human Rights are entirely respected in the West, more specifically in Canada, there is still much room for improvement. Some of us take many things from granted like access to water, adequate food and free speech. However, it is important to look forward and reflect on how we can bring all individuals to an equal pedestal, where we can all fully enjoy and participate in the improvement of Human Rights. Take this day to be thankful for what you have, celebrate what the past generations have accomplished and take action within the current Human Rights violations happening, for a better future, a better tomorrow: OUR tomorrow. Although you may feel like what is going on in another country does not involve you, it does; as former U.S president John F. Kennedy once said: “The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened”.
References:
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/Const/page-15.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2008/05/16/f-faqs-residential-schools.html
http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/06/28/health-care-coverage-for-refugees-is-about-to-change-in-canada/
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