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| Photo by the Author |
Upon the conclusion of World War II in 1945, the world was left in shambles—historians report that the death count totaled nearly 50 million; countless civilians were afflicted with various ailments and millions experienced displacement from their homes. In addition, the bloody conflict had put forward the horrors of Nazi Germany as well the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. In fact, the said war has been detailed as “the biggest and deadliest war in history, involving more than 30 countries.”
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| Photo from The National WWII Museum |
With the utterly devastating aftermath of World War II, especially in terms of human rights, it was clear to world leaders that a revival of some sort was necessary. Hence, on December 10, 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was established. Penned by the UN General Assembly, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a document that entails an individual’s fundamental and inherent rights that ought to be protected and fulfilled at all costs. With its formation 74 years ago, a pressing question unveils itself: where have the times led us in the arduous journey of realizing human rights?
At present, the world has simultaneously seen triumphs and losses in terms of human rights advancement. Cubans recently celebrated a milestone in the fight for equal rights with the reinforcement of a family law that permits same-sex marriages and such couples’ adoption of children. Meanwhile, in the United States, it seems that progress was reversed upon the overturning of Roe v. Wade, a decision that curtails women’s freedom in making choices over their own bodies. In the Philippines, press freedom remains to be a troubling concern as the country is deemed as “one of the deadliest countries for journalists.”
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| Photo from AP News |
Moreover, with reference to the Human Freedom Index or the annual study that ranks countries by assessing their states of freedom based on particular indicators, developed countries such as Switzerland, New Zealand, and Denmark take the top spots. Their high ranks imply that they experience a life inclusive of the rights written in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. At the bottom of the list include war-stricken nations namely, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. As for the Philippines, the country currently sits at 101st place among 165 countries.
Such data and events are manifestations that the path toward the attainment of human rights is one made of rough pavement. Despite the establishment of documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, disputes and divisiveness continue to persist in this day and age. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize individuals whose bravery and courage constantly champion the liberties and welfare of their people, and such names include Greta Thunberg and Senator Risa Hontiveros.
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| Photo from CNN |
Greta Thunberg is a pillar of the environmental sector and an inspiration for young climate activists everywhere. The 19-year-old is the person behind the Fridays for Future or School Strike for Climate movement, which is centered around climate change alleviation. With furrowed brows and a hardened scowl, she famously uttered, “You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words… We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money, and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!” Her activism on climate change sheds light on the fact that people and the environment are always interconnected. Indeed, her efforts are reminders that the climate crisis is also a human rights crisis.
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| Photo from INQUIRER.net |
Senator Risa Hontiveros is a notable ally in the countrywide campaign for LGBTQIA+ rights in the Philippines. At present, Senator Risa serves as the Chairperson of the Committee on Women, Children, and Family Relations in the 18th Congress and is known for pushing laws that eradicate social injustices and promote gender equality into enactment. As a bill sponsor for the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality Bill, her attempts of seeing a more inclusive Philippines have recently achieved a turning point with the Senate panel approving the bill.
The noble duty of upholding human rights does not end with these esteemed individuals. As we celebrate Human Rights Day, let us be inspired by the transformative contributions of human rights activists and recognize that each one of us plays a role in making the rough pavement of life easy to traverse. Our words may not be as stirring and ferocious as Greta’s, and we may not have a seat in the upper house of Congress just like Senator Risa, but a common ground exists in the fabrics of our being: we are all humans. Striving to set our rights in motion translates into efforts regarding the empowerment of dignity, freedom, and justice for all. The path that lies before us may be adorned with roughness and irregularities, and we may stumble or fall at times, but on this momentous day, let us #StandUp4HumanRights and become a hero of humanity.
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