Picture source:https://borgenproject.org/education-for-girls-in-zambia/
‘… universal human rights begin in small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighbourhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere….’ Eleanor Roosevelt
International Human Rights Day, celebrated each year on 10 December, marks the anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. This year’s Human Rights Day is themed, “EQUALITY – Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights”. This theme is premised on ‘Equality’ as set out in Article 1 of the UDHR – “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”[1]
What is inequality? One might ask; and how does reducing inequalities advance human rights or how does protecting and promoting human rights reduce inequalities? Or does it?
Equality
The UN recognises that principles of equality and non-discrimination are at the heart of human rights.[2] Accordingly, equality is aligned with the 2030 Agenda and with the UN approach set out in the document Shared Framework on Leaving No One Behind: Equality and Non-Discrimination at the Heart of Sustainable Development. This includes addressing and finding solutions for deep-rooted forms of discrimination that have affected the most vulnerable people in societies.
Reducing inequalities advancing human rights
A human rights-based approach to development- is the best way to reduce inequalities and resume our path towards realizing the 2030 Agenda.[3] A human rights-based approach is a framework for human development. The framework encourages the utilisation of international human rights standards, to ensure that people know about their human rights and can claim them.[4] A Human rights-based approach applies to areas such as access to healthcare, economic development, gender equality, education, and social justice to mention a few.
The UDHR whose cornerstone is equality is applicable to Zambia being a member of the United Nations. The UDHR recognises that the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.
The UDHR paved the way for the adoption of more than seventy human rights treaties, applied today on a permanent basis at global and regional levels. These treaties all contain references to the UDHR in their preambles.[5] Zambia is state party to a number of these treaties including the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women . Further, Zambia subscribes to regional treaties such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and its Protocols which also make reference to the UDHR. [6]
Important for the promotion of equality to advance development, the aforementioned treaties speak to among others: the inherent dignity of the human person; the promotion of the social, economic and political inclusion of all; the need to ensure equal opportunities and end discrimination; and reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women.
The commemoration of the Human Rights day on 10th December, 2021 presents an opportune moment for the government of Zambia to take stock of the implementation of its commitments under the human rights instruments discussed above and assess whether or not it has reduced inequalities whilst advancing human rights for the Zambian people.
A comprehensive article discussing the concept of human rights and how they are understood in Zambia will be published on Wednesday 15 December 2021. Also to be discussed in the article is the role human rights play in reducing inequality and bringing forth development and to what extent legislation has protected and promoted human rights, reduced inequalities and facilitated this development in Zambia.
We are keen to hear your thoughts on how you think human rights address inequality and on how the promotion and protection of human rights has brought about development. Please share your thoughts with us on our online platforms:
Website:https://www.zambialawdevelopment.org
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FOOTNOTES:
[1] United Nations Human Rights Day December Human Rights Day | United Nations accessed 02/12/2021
[2] Ibid
[3]Human Rights Day sub themes United Nations Human Rights Day 10 December Human Rights Day | United Nations
[4] What is a Human Rights-Based Approach? What is a Human Rights-Based Approach? – Human Rights Careers accessed 07/12/2021
[5] Universal Declaration of Human Rights | United Nations accessed 07/12/2021
[6] Article 60