As Human Rights Day is marked globally today, Wednesday, 10th Dec, human societies across the world have been urged to maintain an unflinching position that guarantees equality, freedom, and dignity for all.
The wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo made the call in a message on the global observance.
The celebration marks the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948, serving as a vital call to action for promoting fundamental freedoms, dignity, and equality for all people.
It is usually observed with events, campaigns, and reflections on current struggles for rights worldwide.
According to the Anambra First Lady, human rights are as sacred as the values they represent, and remain a priority for any responsive government or society.
Acknowledging that every human deserves the right to live, to safety, to succeed, and to thrive without fear or inhibition, Dr Soludo emphasized the need for people to know their rights and the importance of duty-bearers to protect the rights of citizens.
“It’s true that understanding human rights and preserving them are what make a society stronger and better.
“Our everyday lives rely heavily on how we treat others. We must look beyond differences in race, background, gender and beliefs. This uniqueness should unite us more than it divides us. No one deserves to live in a society ruled by fear, alienation, and extremism.
“Everyone, no matter their creed, cultural, political, and religious differences, deserves the full rights of human dignity and fairness. It’s not negotiable,” the First Lady posited.
She also highlighted the need to strengthen remediation and redress channels when the rights of citizens are violated, as well as a greater need to ensure that violators of such rights do not escape justice.
This, she noted, will deter duty-bearers from engaging in acts that violate human rights.
“When rights violators are allowed to go unpunished, it simply emboldens others to toe the same path. So, such violations must not be swept under the carpet.
“It is also important to ensure that citizens are aware of the options available to them when they observe any violation or infractions on their rights,” Dr Soludo emphasized.
