PUBLIC STATEMENT
EFSCRJ marks International Human Rights Day 2024 with a Call to Action!
Today is International Human Rights Day. The Preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 opened with these words,
“Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law.”
Seventy six years today, the blatant violation of human rights by states is perennial and widespread across the world. Not only is Israel willfully committing genocide in Palestine, but the entire Western world stands resolutely behind it. The Five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council – US, UK, France, Russia and China, have become the greatest enablers of human rights violations across the world. The failure of COP29 in reaching a meaningful and sustainable agreement in tackling climate change and its effects exposes gross negligence by developed nations to take responsibility for their greenhouse actions which are ravaging the environment thereby denying millions meaningful livelihoods and pushing them into hunger and poverty. Meanwhile the despicable presence of terrorism, migration, racism, discrimination and corruption expose the anti-human rights policy decisions and actions of states and businesses across the world. In Africa, autocratic governments and corrupt leaders continue to hold sway thereby pushing most of their citizens into increasing and excruciating poverty, deprivation and inequality.
Overall, the assault on human rights is intense, widespread and without end in sight perpetrated by the powerful in government, business and society. But as the UDHR reminds us that there cannot be lasting peace, justice and development in the absence of human rights. The widespread incidents of conflict raging across the world are a testament to this fact.
Now is the time therefore for the peoples of the world to rise to defend human rights simply because human rights cannot defend itself. Our problems and solutions are rooted in human rights, i.e. how well or not human rights are protected. Every individual, every society must consciously and deliberately embrace human rights to respect, protect and fulfill.
In the Gambia, EFSCRJ shall continue to defend human rights through public education and advocacy for transparency, accountability and adherence to rule of by the Government and businesses and across society. This is the standard and obligation expressed in the UDHR.
Madi Jobarteh
Executive Director
Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice
EFSCRJ
