HUMAN RIGHTS: THE CHALLENGE BEFORE US
This December the world will mark a significant milestone: The 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 10th 1948. A direct response to the Sho’ah, the Declaration includes thirty ‘articles’, encompassing every arena of life, and embracing every human being, ‘without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status’ (article 2) because as the first article states: ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.’
Published three and half years after the defeat of Hitler, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights represented a re-assertion of ethical values and a powerful re-affirmation of human dignity and equality. But sixty years on, it is evident that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights remains very much an aspirational document: As yet the great majority of people in the world today do not enjoy even the most basic human rights. On the contrary, millions of people continue to be subjected to tyrannical regimes, and to suffer persecution. But despite the shameful gap between theory and practice, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is very significant – not least because it expresses a global consensus concerning the right of every human being to security, shelter, nourishment, education, remuneration for their work, legislative justice and freedom of movement.
The continuing reality that millions are still denied their human rights means that the 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration should be a wake-up call for nations, peoples, communities and individuals alike. Achieving the goal of universal human rights may seem like an impossible task, but examples of human rights successes over the past sixty years – from South Africa to Eastern Europe – demonstrate that where there is a commitment to justice and liberation, the readiness to take practical steps, and the determination to pursue the goal, despite obstacles and set-backs, it is possible to transform even the most oppressive societies. Towards the end of December we will celebrate the eight-day festival of Chanukkah. As we add a new flame to the Chanukkiyyah each night, let us remember that if we act, day after day, it will be possible to do what seems to be impossible: To create light even in the midst of darkness; to overcome oppression and establish justice. The hope for every human being remains the challenge before each one of us.
Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah