International Human Rights Day

Dec 11, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – International Human Rights Day was on Dec 10. This was the date some 73 years ago that nations signed the universal declaration of rights of people — many, many rights including the right to freedom of speech, holding government accountable, etc. In very few countries are the universal rights actually implemented and or enforced. In fact, almost every country violates them — some more than others. The western White countries developed countries have greater respect for human rights than the non-White developing countries. In most developing countries, if you invoke and exercise freedom of speech and critique the government, you will be victimized. You will lose your government job or contracts and even find yourself in lock up for a contrived crime. If you have to be a ‘yes’ man or shut up.

The UN Charter came into effect declaring social equality for all and respect for human rights as well as rights to choose a government in free and fair elections. There are also many other rights. Are the rights enforced?
Today, around the globe, so many hundreds of millions have been denied socio-economic and political equality and denied the right to vote to choose a government in periodic free and fair elections. So many have faced racial discrimination and denied employment opportunities. Also, the most vulnerable, the poor, the physically and mentally challenged are neglected. Immigrants and those seeking better economic opportunities in every country are targeted for abuse. There is also human trafficking.

In so many countries, governments have behaved like people don’t matter. Poverty and hopelessness pervade so many countries. A small percentage of the people in every country controls the overwhelming bulk of the wealth while others are struggling to make ends meet. Government must pursue measures to narrow the gap.
Human Rights declarations are supposed to be more than mere empty words. They must be followed by enforcement of measures and or by actions. Socio-economic and political reforms are needed to narrow the gap between rich and poor and to encourage participatory governance. We must show zero tolerance for election rigging and for corruption that robs our people wealth to narrow the widening gap between rich and poor.

Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram

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