The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 10 December 2009, Observed
Iftikhar Chaudri, President of Journalists for International Peace, wrote:
Journalists for International Peace observed the 61st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [1] on 10 December 2009. In this context, a meeting was held in the head office of JIP, in which participants/ members of JIP presented their reports on various human rights issues the world is confronting.
The participants, members of JIP, deliberated on the objectives of Human Rights Day which was focused on non-discrimination. “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. These first few famous words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [1] established 61 years ago, are the basic premise of international human rights law. Yet today, the fight against discrimination remains a daily struggle for millions around the globe.
Iftikhar Chaudri, President JIP, expressed grave concern over the situation of human rights all over the world, in general, which is further deteriorated. “The graph of the poverty-line personifies upward trend. People are devoid of clean drinking water and basic food items. Despite efforts to promote interfaith harmony through a dialogue, the religious and sectarian intolerance increased manifold. The ban on the construction of minarets in Switzerland is a glaring example that infuriates the Muslim minority,” he added.
The participants took serious notice of the unprecedented increase in the “missing persons,” allegedly taken into custody by the respective intelligence agencies, mostly in Pakistan, India, UK, Israel and USA. The USA, claimed to be the principal protagonist, ‘tortured and detained’ Dr. Aafia Siddiqui [2], in a fake encounter, which is a slap on the face of world community. Such human rights violations by the state, creates chaos, frustration and intolerance. The situation of human rights can never be improved, if the sanctity of fundamental rights of people, under the provisions of UN Charter, is not guarded and protected. The International Community, must strengthen the role of UNO and must support its unbiased smooth sailing for each and every nation of the world.
USA has more responsibility to review its policies, which are damaging the very fabric of world society, continued in the garb “War Against Terrorism.” It has to initiate an ‘economic activity’ in war-torn areas for the locals of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq. The socio-economic crises, added by illiteracy, create silent agitation among masses. Iftikhar Chaudri called for the world community to perform its role in a global village, otherwise, any violation of human and fundamental rights of any segment of society of the world can create a collective problem for them, in near future.
Iftikhar Chaudri
President
Journalists For International Peace
Islamabad, Pakistan
president@j4ip.org [3]
0092-9567531—0092-321-9567531