Human Rights: Where do we draw the line?

The Monitor Editor | Tuesday October 10, 2023 06:00

Holding up bold placards, the community and its supporters conveyed strong messages, leaving no room for ambiguity.

Some of the signs read: ‘We are not forcing anyone to love us, we just want to be given our human rights in full package and we will be content,’ ‘Stand for human rights, resist hate, discrimination, embrace equality and diversity,’ ‘I deserve the right to be human,’ and ‘End gender oppression now!’

These powerful words are not just from activists; they are from our brothers, sisters, cousins, friends, and family friends. The question that lingers is why should they have to plead for inclusion and equality in basic human rights.

In essence, human rights are universal and inherent to all individuals, irrespective of differences like race, sex, nationality, or religion. These rights encompass fundamental entitlements such as the right to life, liberty, freedom from slavery, torture, opinion, expression, work, and education. A simplified definition of human rights is: Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Now how in the world do we find it within us to try and decide what segments of the society can enjoy these rights undisturbed and what segment cannot?

Societies globally have their set values and expectations for their members, but the crucial question is, who decides these expectations and what criteria ensure fairness and inclusivity?

From childhood, we are instilled with certain beliefs, often shaped by our parents, to guide us into responsible adulthood. However, this same framework can become oppressive for some members of our community, as seen in societies where women’s rights are disregarded as a way to solely to serve the interests of men!

Similarly, the LGBTQ+ community faces challenges in communities where heterosexuality is viewed as the norm and anything divergent is considered abnormal. The question arises: who holds the authority to define normality? Often, arguments against LGBTQ+ rights are grounded in religious beliefs, showcasing the complexity of intertwining religion with matters of human rights. The LGBTQ+ community is an integral part of our diverse society and their rights, just like everyone else's, deserve unwavering respect and protection. The LGBTQ+ community is to stay, asserting their right to enjoy the same fundamental rights that apply to all of us.