ADVANCING THE CAUSE OF GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTION

BY

ABDUL SEMIU BABALOLA

Today,10th December 2011, is Human Rights Day. The importance of the day is premised on the fact thathuman rights are inalienable to all human beings. No matter the differences in nationality, residence, sex, ethnic origins, colour, religion, language or other status, we are all equally entitled to our human rights and dignity without discrimination. Thus, the international human rights law specifies obligations of governments to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups.

Worldwide, events focusing on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 have been organised in observance of the Day. United Nations offices around the world are partnering with civil society organisations, governments and academic institutions to commemorate the 2011 Human Rights Day with a range of events.

In Cairo, Egypt, it is a seminar on human rights defenders and social media while in Mexico and Cameroon, social media campaigns on human rights have been launched. A panel discussion on the use of social media and new technologies to advocate for human rights holds in Nairobi, Kenya and a human rights film festival and concert is on in Yerevan, Armenia.

Nigeria is very much a part of the celebration, with several political and cultural activities including music, dance, drama and fine arts lined up to draw attention to human rights and dignity without discrimination. Seminars and conferences are holding across the country to create awareness on the importance of the Human Rights Day.

These activities and events are meant to engender upholding human rights and to counter the gross human rights violations that abound in the world today. Since the United Nations General Assembly adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the Palais de Challiot in Paris, France on December 10, 1948, this year’s celebration is remarkable in many ways. It is a year when the peoples’ wish triumphed over authoritarian and autocratic regimes, as seen in the revolution that swept away long time despotic rulers in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. For the first time in the human rights struggle, the internet and social media became important powerful tools for demanding good governance and for rallying the populace against bad rule.

Eventful political developments of 2011, as demonstrated by the uprisings and change of governments in the Arab world drive home the theme for this years’ human rights day. The theme recognises the significance of social media and technology in accessing human rights. It is reminding governments of their existing obligation to respect the rights of freedom of assembly and expression and not to circumvent access to the internet and various forms of social media as a way to prevent criticism and public debate.

Worthy of note is the strides by Nigeria since the return to democratic rule on 29thMay 1999. Since then, Nigeria’s human rights record has improved tremendously. The government’s commitments to the promotion of human rights and its protection is demonstrated in the respect for the rule of law, rights of all citizens to express themselves, belong to any association of their choice and engage in any lawful socio-economic activities, without hindrance, intimidation or discrimination.

The National Human Rights Commission set up by the government also demonstrates another commitment by Nigeria to zero tolerance of human rights abuses. The commission has redressed rights violations of many citizens through delivering justice to them in the law courts.

Nigeria is an example that Human rights can further be promoted through collective efforts of countries, relevant organisations, agencies and multinational corporations.

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, has also advocated advancing this cause with these words: ”Human rights belong to every one of us without exception. But unless we know them, unless we demand they be respected and unless we defend our right and the right of others to exercise them, they will be just words in a decades-old document”.

As the world rolls out the talking drums to celebrate yet another Human Rights Day, what should be paramount is how to protect, promote and respect other people’s inalienable rights to education, employments, religion, health, information and life.

 

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