It is a wonder to be born as a human being. You may ask why. One of the answers would be human beings’ awareness of their needs and rights.
The rights are related to justice, equality, freedom, and overall well-being. Human rights primarily serve universal principles projected to protect each and every individual in society from abuse, assault, violence, and terror. Keeping these facts in mind, Human Rights Day is celebrated annually worldwide on the 10th of December.
The history of human rights is dynamic, and even the future is promising. Today, we will discuss human rights past, present, and future.
The Origins
The concept of human rights goes back to ancient times. From the beginning of society, people were aware of their rights. For example, the “Code of Hammurabi” (1754 BCE) was one of the first attempts at establishing structured laws. In ancient India, “Arthashashra” promoted rules of ethics, fairness, and justice. Confucius also talked about the same matter in China.
During the thirteenth century, the Magna Carta (1215) played the role of the foundation of laws, power, and ethics. The Enlightenment on human rights started to flourish all around the world during that time. Philosophers and thinkers started to spread awareness of liberty and equality.
John Locke influenced the “American Declaration of Independence” (1776). Similarly, Jean-Jacques Rousseau played an important role in the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen” (1789).
Thus, the modern concept of human rights wasn’t established out of thin air. It has a long and dynamic past.
The Modern Era of Human Rights
1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The United Nations was established based on the horrors of 1945.
Although the Declaration is not a binding document, it inspired more than 60 human rights instruments, which together formed the international standard for human rights.
Significant progress has been made in human rights laws. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) set laws on social welfare and humanity.
The Present Situation
Even though some laws are based on human rights, the practical and realistic sceneries show different phenomena. Political and refusal issues in the Middle East, economic inequality, and gender-based oppression are still common in modern society.
Not only that, occupational safety for women in this world is at risk in many countries.
What the Future Holds
The future of human rights seems aspiring. But it must include and consider the complexities of modern society. Technological confrontation, climate justice, equity and inclusion of all genders, and global accountability should be considered when the human rights of future generations are addressed.
In conclusion, human rights are the voice of justice for all human beings. They raise a voice against oppression, violence, terror, and injustice. The present situation of many countries all over the world lacks the practical implementation of human rights. But the future holds promising differences that may lead to a better and more inclusive world.
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Writer,
Zerin Tasnim Ahmed
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE