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Al-Ahram Weekly 13 - 19 January 2000 Issue No. 464 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 13 - 19 January 2000 Issue No. 464
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Heritage Special Books Profile Travel Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Getting it right
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is among humanity's greatest achievements in the 20th century. Tragically, however, these rights are being trampled underfoot today: men and women everywhere are forced to demand their fundamental freedoms, yet their cries often fall on deaf ears. Still, before the Declaration was ratified by the international community, even such demands could not be contemplated. The violation of what we consider today the basic rights of all human beings was routine -- the natural order of things.
The Declaration created awareness that humanity shared certain basic and inalienable rights. US President Woodrow Wilson's principles, declared as World War I was coming to an end, were the basis of all the revolutions of subsequent years. They crystallised a new awareness that the "natural order" was not so natural after all. Sometimes awareness is the most important factor in achieving a desired goal.
We live today in unprecedented circumstances, for awareness of human rights is almost universal. Even leaders who do not guarantee their citizens' human rights pay lip service to the idea, by recognising the importance of such rights, at least in theory. In countries where human rights are violated, efforts are made to mask violations. The rights of women, children, minorities -- even animals -- are demanded or defended worldwide. I believe the 21st century will be known as the century of human rights.
Based on an interview by Mohamed Salmawy.
