Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 10 Dec: In a press release, the Uttarakhand Insaaniyat Manch noted that Human Rights Day, today, marked 77 years since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The Declaration’s Preamble identifies freedom of speech and belief, and freedom from fear and want as the highest aspirations of people everywhere. Its 30 Articles lay down fundamental rights that belong to every human being as inalienable entitlements.
India played a significant role in shaping this historic document. Hansa Jivraj Mehta, India’s representative on the UN Commission on Human Rights, was instrumental in changing the wording of Article 1 from “all men are born free and equal” to the gender-inclusive “all human beings are born free and equal”. Lakshmi N Menon, head of the Indian delegation to the UN General Assembly, strongly pressed for the Declaration’s explicit guarantee of equality regardless of sex.
The Manch has claimed that, despite these proud contributions, the current ruling establishment in India shows scant regard for the principles the UDHR embodies. Every day, it violates multiple Articles of the Declaration, including those protecting freedom of opinion and expression, the right to education, the right to an adequate standard of living, fair electoral representation, protection against arbitrary arrest, and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Uttarakhand Insaaniyat Manch called upon the government to honour the commitments enshrined in the UDHR and to undertake urgent corrective measures. As an immediate step, it demanded the release of Sonam Wangchuk and other political detainees who have been imprisoned for standing up for the rights of the people. The government must also ensure that the Election Commission functions independently, serving as a custodian of free and fair elections rather than an instrument of those in power. Furthermore, instead of closing government schools and allowing the public health system to deteriorate, it should guarantee free and equitable access to quality education and healthcare for all.
