AKEL on International Human Rights Day

 

10 December 2023, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which places the fundamental role of equality, justice and human dignity at the heart of all political and social activity. This ambition, as expressed in its 30 articles, has been a milestone for the last 75 years in humanity’s efforts to leave the dark pages of Nazism-Fascism behind once and for all. A milestone in the evolution of human rights as a set of rights equally important for world peace, stability and prosperity. Creating responsibilities to safeguard and protect both political freedoms and social, economic and cultural rights. Responsibilities that transcend national borders and bind the entire international community.

Nevertheless, despite the adoption since then of a vast array of rules and legislation, the challenges that remain are immense. These include the dangerous rise of racism, impunity for hate rhetoric and the hateful actions that accompany it, sexism and homophobia, governmental inadequacy in protecting people with disabilities, institutional attempts to restrict the freedom of expression and assembly of citizens, and the tolerance or institutional cover-up of illegal surveillance as revealed in Cyprus.

Moreover, the failure of the current global capitalist model to deliver peace, equality and a sustainable social, economic and ecological future can hardly be denied. Armed conflict, ecological destruction, state and corporate rivalries are holding hostage development and access to essential goods, free education and quality health services by the overwhelming majority of the world’s population. And while no one disputes the profound regression that is being observed, the dramatic impoverishment, the forced displacement of populations, the exacerbation of economic inequalities, the increase in various forms of violence, the fragmented and selective approach to these issues renders the prospect of universal respect for human rights more distant.

Unfortunately, this is confirmed by the dramatic developments of recent weeks in Israel and Palestine, by the criminal actions of Hamas and the State of Israel.

But also the inability and refusal of a section of the international community to decisively address the violation of international law and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, where in a few weeks almost 20,000 civilians have lost their lives, 80% of a population of 2.2 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes in acts of ethnic cleansing, hospitals and refugee camps have been destroyed and access to basic goods is severely restricted.

Acknowledging that the road to ensuring and respecting the human rights of all remains long, AKEL will continue to work in this direction, defending solidarity, social equality, justice, individual and collective rights. And underlining that in the case of our own country, it is achieved through the liberation, reunification and respect for the human rights of all Cypriots.

09.12.2023