Dignity, Freedom And Justice For All

“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” – Nelson Mandela. Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on December 10th. It commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets out a broad range of fundamental rights and freedoms to which all of us are entitled. It guarantees the rights of every individual everywhere, without distinction based on nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, or any other status. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights empowers us all. The principles enshrined in the Declaration are as relevant today as they were in 1948. Human Rights Day is also significant in that it marks the end of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence which is an annual international campaign that begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. It is important to note that Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All is the 2022 theme for Human Rights Day. The Right to Health The World Health Organization (WHO) states that there can be no dignity, freedom and justice without health for all. The right to health is about ensuring that everyone, everywhere can access affordable, quality healthcare. It is also dependent upon gender equality and the realization of other human rights including, food, education, housing and access to safe water and sanitation. According to the WHO everyone is entitled to the right to health regardless of race, colour, sex, language, gender, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, geographical location, religion, political or other opinion, nationality or social origin, property, socioeconomic or other status. The WHO added that the right to health means the right to control one’s health and body, including the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls, without interference. Violence, including gender-based violence, is always a violation of the right to health and can have serious health consequences on the lives of women and children. The right to health means leaving no one behind. This means that all persons should have access to health services without discrimination, including on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. The right to health means ending discrimination in all settings. This means supporting national and local authorities in addressing racial discrimination and related health inequities. This work includes integrating human rights, equity, gender responsive and intercultural approaches to guide public health policies and ensure that communities experiencing racial discrimination have access to comprehensive, culturally appropriate and quality health services. Jamaicans for Justice Each year numerous Jamaicans have their human rights violated. Noted constitutional attorney, Dr. Lloyd Barnett, says despite attempts to ensure Jamaicans get the rights they deserve; there are areas in which the country has failed. Dr. Barnett said, we have made substantial progress in establishing the legal framework and the agencies necessary for ensuring that Jamaicans enjoy their human rights, yet it is true to say that in many areas we have failed to achieve the objectives of the legal and institutional framework that we have established.” Human rights are the rights a person has simply because he or she is a human being. They are basic standards without which people cannot live in dignity and which provide a common standard by which people should treat each other. To violate someone’s human rights is to treat that person as though she or he were not a human being. To advocate human rights is to demand that the human dignity of all people be respected. Human rights are held by all persons equally, universally, and forever. Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) was founded in 1999 and since then has been at the forefront in representing those Jamaicans who have had their human rights infringed. The ethos of Jamaicans for Justice states: Justice is the bedrock of any civilized and progressive society. Jamaicans are decent, law-abiding citizens, and each is deserving of respect, freedom, equal access to fair and impartial treatment, and the right to enjoy a peaceful existence. Accordingly, JFJ believes in the protection of the Constitutional rights of every human being. JFJ’s work is guided by a recognition and acceptance of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The mission of Jamaicans for Justice is to engender fundamental change in Jamaica’s judicial, economic, social and political systems in order to improve the present and future lives of all Jamaicans. The mission for Jamaicans for Justice states; a Jamaica where the rights of all are ensured; where there is equal opportunity for citizens to realize their full potential and enjoy a sense of wellbeing; and where our culture is enhanced, and respect shared. Many of the world’s conflicts and wars are as a result of a lack of respect for human rights for the other party involved. Oftentimes the aggressor thinks of himself as superior to others and therefore should not share the same human rights. Justice for many people, especially the marginalized continues to be elusive. Let us re- imagine a world where everyone respects and cares for human rights. If only humanity would adhere to the Biblical principle of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" spoken by Jesus in Luke 6:31 and Matthew 7:12; and commonly referred to as the "Golden Rule:, what a wonderful world this would be. Justice for many people especially, the marginalized continues to be elusive. However, on this World Human Right Day let us remember that when we remain silent regarding injustices we are slowly killing our humanity. It is in speaking out and advocating for those least among us regarding human rights incidents that will make our society a better, safer and more inclusive place to live, work and raise families. In the words of Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, it is absolutely clear that we need to regain the universality of human rights, the indivisibility of human rights, and we need to find a new energy that motivates young people around the world. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #StandUpForHumanRights #ItStartsWithMe #WorldHumanRightsDay #Jamaica