December 10 is International Human Rights Day. On this day in 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year, Austria’s Foreign Ministry warned of “worrying signs” that both human rights and the rule of law would come under enormous pressure worldwide.
“Human Rights Day is an opportunity to remember that the realization of human rights is not just a matter of human dignity. Rather, it is a cornerstone of democracy, peace and the rule of law,” Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) said in a broadcast. December 10 honored the courageous efforts of “many human rights defenders who make immeasurable contributions every day to protecting of human rights around the world, often under the most difficult circumstances and at the risk of one’s life”.
right to life and liberty
Current examples are the protests against the government in Iran and demonstrations for education in Afghanistan. “There are many places in this world where human rights are violated. And then there are places where they are literally bombed out. As is currently the case in Ukraine. The relentless bombing of civilians and the deliberate destruction of vital infrastructure far behind the front lines are a violation of the most basic human right of all: the right to life,” Greens foreign policy spokeswoman Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic said in a broadcast. .
Other human rights include the prohibition of torture, freedom of occupation, freedom of expression, the right to a fair trial and the right to education. Virtually all states have ratified the agreement or explicitly mention human rights in their constitutions. Yet there are always serious and systematic violations that are not always punished by the courts. “It is therefore the duty of every citizen and every politician to defend them. In addition to those who bear political responsibility, everyone must watch and act (…),” said Ernst-Dziedzic. She is currently in Ukraine together with politicians Wolfgang Gerstl (ÖVP), Harald Troch (SPÖ) and Helmut Brandstätter (NEOS). The delegation wants to ‘bring humanitarian aid’.
The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Austrian Development Organization (ADA) are now donating €2.5 million to the United Nations High Commissioner to support other countries in protecting human rights. In this way, Austria would make a “substantial contribution to global human rights and development work”, ministry representatives are convinced.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
