The Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 75
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 75
10th December 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of one of the world’s most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
The Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 and sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.
Below Gisha, the Legal Center for Freedom of Movement, an Israeli NGO, marks the 75th anniversary of this event with a very brief statement on the current Israel-Gaza war
RK
Gisha writes today, 10th December 2023
We are living in incredibly difficult and polarizing times. The discourse in the media, social media, even casual conversations among friends or on the street make it seem as if, more than ever before, the world is split into two – those who stand with Israel and those who stand with Palestine – a zero-sum game between sworn enemies, between “us” and “them.”
But two things (at least) can be true at once. It is possible to grieve the indescribable losses of October 7, to pray with bated breath for the release of every last one of the hostages, and also to resolutely oppose the war on Gaza and call for an immediate ceasefire. It is possible to fully recognize the horrors of that terrible day, to demand justice for its victims, and also to demand unflinchingly that Palestinian civilians in Gaza not be those who pay a price.
It is possible to acknowledge that the story did not begin on October 7, that this day was preceded, among other things, by years of violent oppression of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation and the systematic erasure of their humanity and human rights, and also to condemn the grave violations committed by Hamas and other armed militants and insist that actions such as those can never be justified. It is possible to be concerned over the dangerous rise in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia globally, and also air legitimate criticism of Israeli and Palestinian authorities and hold them accountable for their actions.
Today, International Human Rights Day, it is more difficult yet more important than ever to remember that our rights, our existence, are intertwined. At a time when it appears as if each of us must pick one side over the other, it is possible to choose the side of humanity, of civilians, the side of children, of innocent victims of a terrible cycle of violence that must end now.
***************
As required by law, Gisha is proud to share that as a result of our partnerships with countries and international organizations that support our work to promote human rights, the majority of our funding comes from “foreign governmental entities.”
***************
Gisha is an Israeli not-for-profit organization, founded in 2005, whose goal is to protect the freedom of movement of Palestinians, especially Gaza residents. Gisha promotes rights guaranteed by international and Israeli law.
Good on Gisha. It is a shame we don’t hear from people like her and her organisations more. If we did there might not be the urge to have to choose one side over the other. I include Israel in this as I am not convinced that the general Israeli public fully understand the plight of Palestinians over the last 75 years.