AKEL on Human Rights Day
10 December 2021, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed on this day in 1948, is perhaps the greatest achievement of modern society and the peoples of the world. The progressive path that had begun during the previous centuries of Enlightenment and social revolutions was ingloriously interrupted by the rise of Nazi-Fascism and the atrocious crimes committed in the name of racial superiority. The establishment of the rights of all human beings, as an inevitable necessity and the outcome of social and political assertions, led to the adoption of the Universal Declaration, to be followed since then by numerous international conventions, constitutional amendments and legislative initiatives. These provide that every human being is entitled to enjoy all the rights and freedoms without any discrimination whatsoever.
However, despite the recognition of the equal protection and respect for all human rights, political, social, economic and cultural, humanity is still far from the full, unimpeded and unhindered enjoyment of these rights. This has been revealed most tragically by the pandemic crisis, which has exacerbated pre-existing social inequalities and provoked distortions with regards the respect for individual rights and civil liberties.
The economic policies being implemented undermine the right to housing, employment, education, equal access to essential goods and /medical care. Environmental discrimination, which particularly affects the least developed regions of the world and their populations in particular, has, among other things, adverse effects on sustainable development, health and food security, and often forces them to migrate.
The same consequences are caused by the geopolitical competition between powerful states and, to a greater extent, by the intensification of military operations. Invoking the public interest, governmental authoritarianism, police violence and repression violate the prohibition of all forms of ill-treatment or torture, and violate rights such as the right of peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and privacy.
Furthermore, not only is insufficient action taken to combat racism, xenophobia, sexism and homophobia, but they are often fostered through the public discourse of state officials and the policies adopted. Unfortunately people with disabilities are also victims of state indifference, who are called upon to tackle discriminations and prejudice primarily on the basis of the guarantees provided by private initiatives instead of the state.
Recognising that the defence of the human rights of all is a constant and difficult struggle, AKEL underlines that it will continue to steadfastly work for a qualatively advanced society, in which solidarity, social equality, justice, individual and collective freedom will prevail.
In this effort, the struggle for the restoration of the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all Cypriots, with the liberation and reunification of our country, is the most important stage of our struggle.
