Human Rights Day is observed annually on 10 December, marking an important milestone when the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. A non-binding document that outlines common standards, values, rights, and freedoms everyone everywhere is entitled to.
A year like no other, 2020’s theme ‘Recover Better – Stand Up for Human Rights’ reflects on the need to ensure that human rights are central to the recovery efforts to the Covid-19 pandemic which swept the globe. Creating equal opportunities for all, addressing the failures exposed and exploited by the virus, and applying human rights standards to tackle deep-rooted inequalities, exclusions and discrimination.
There are many human rights issues that relate to the work of our Sisters, and they are addressing these challenges in communities around the world on a daily basis. In particular, they are seeking to reduce human trafficking, through raising awareness of the issue and carrying out education programmes as well as assisting those directly impacted by human trafficking.
Speak Up for Those Who Cannot
(Proverbs 31:8-9)
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Listed below are some of the serious violations to human rights that victims of human trafficking experience and are included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Eradicating these issues are at the core to anti-trafficking strategies
- The prohibition of discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status
- The right to life
- The right to liberty and security
- The right not to be submitted to slavery, servitude, forced labour or bonded labour
- The right not to be subjected to torture and/or cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment
- The right to be free from gendered violence
- The right to freedom of association
- The right to freedom of movement
- The right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- The right to just and favourable conditions of work
- The right to an adequate standard of living
- The right to social security
- The right of children to special protection
- The right to an effective remedy
- The right to be protected from non-refoulement
- The right to seek asylum
