As the world celebrated the 75th anniversary
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 2023, it found
itself wrestling with a significant crisis in the realm of human rights,
particularly in terms of commitment and interpretation by influential global
powers.
اضافة اعلان
At the core of this dilemma lies a stark
divide between the universality of human rights and their selective
enforcement. The ongoing situation in Palestine, where the basic rights of the
Palestinian people have been continually violated under Israeli occupation for
decades, stands as a glaring example of this issue.
Despite international and global condemnation,
influential Western countries have largely remained silent, with some becoming
complicit partners of Israel. They have provided political, material, and
military support to Israel, continuing its massacres against Palestinians.
At the core of this dilemma lies a stark divide between the universality of human rights and their selective enforcement. The ongoing situation in Palestine, where the basic rights of the Palestinian people have been continually violated under Israeli occupation for decades, stands as a glaring example of this issue.
This support extends to overlooking the war
crimes and massacres committed against Palestinians in Gaza, who resist
occupation in pursuit of their right to self-determination, a right stated in
the very principles of human rights that these Western countries claim to
uphold.
The recent official Western stance on the
atrocities of the Israeli occupation in Gaza further exposes this hypocrisy.
Many Western politicians, who loudly advocate for human rights and
international law, have shown a glaring lack of commitment to these ideals.
Their actions reveal a disregard for the principles of comprehensiveness and
universality, fundamental to the human rights system.
Human rights, by definition, are based on
multidimensional recognition and respect for human dignity. They encompass a
broad range of rights, from the fundamental right to life to rights associated
with development, including civil, political, economic, social, cultural, and
developmental rights. However, the prevalent attitude of influential Western
countries suggests a conditional approach to these rights, contingent on
whether they align with their geopolitical interests.
The roots of this attitude can be traced to a
colonial mentality that historically viewed the exploitation of non-Western
peoples as a means to further Western economic interests. This mentality
appears to persist in the way human rights are approached today, often
considering the rights of non-Western people as secondary or even dispensable.
The effects of this double standard in dealing
with the human rights system have not only led to a decline in respect for
these principles worldwide but have significantly undermined the credibility of
these countries in dealing with various global development issues. This
undermines all joint plans and projects with global south countries and
cooperative relationships built over past decades.
The human rights system is not a Western
invention, nor is it exclusively theirs. It is the culmination of global
principles, values, and customs, significantly shaped by contributions from
Arab, Islamic, and Christian civilizations. Thus, there is an urgent need for
these civilizations, alongside others around the world, to reclaim the
narrative and ensure that human rights are truly universal and not just a tool
in the arsenal of powerful nations.
The roots of this attitude can be traced to a colonial mentality that historically viewed the exploitation of non-Western peoples as a means to further Western economic interests. This mentality appears to persist in the way human rights are approached today, often considering the rights of non-Western people as secondary or even dispensable
The recent Western complicity in the face of
Israeli atrocities not only reveals deep-seated arrogance and a superiority
complex towards non-Western peoples, but also highlights a fundamental crisis
in the Western approach to human rights. This crisis is not of the human rights
system itself but of those who claim to be its guardians.
The belief that providing humanitarian aid to
victims of war crimes and massacres, while supporting their continuation (is an
expression of respect for human rights) represents another facet of the same
arrogant and superior vision towards non-Western peoples.
As we reflect on 75 years since the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, it becomes increasingly clear that human rights
principles remain a beacon for those seeking justice, equality, and peace.
However, the major Western powers, once seen as champions of these rights, have
failed in their duty to support them.
Ahmad M. Awad, A researcher on Human Rights
and Sustainable Development, director of Phenix Center for Economic Studies,
Jordan.
Disclaimer:
Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Jordan News' point of view.
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