HUMAN RIGHTS @ 75

  

  On the early hours of 13th December 2023. I was at an  event organised by the Human Rights Center, and the Human Rights Clinic of the University of Lagos, to commemorate the 75th Universal Declaraton Human Rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 (General Assembly resolution 217 A) as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into over 500 languages. The UDHR is widely recognized as having inspired, and paved the way for, the adoption of more than seventy human rights treaties, applied today on a permanent basis at global and regional levels (all containing references to it in their preambles). 

 Know Your Rights.  

  

  The event was very educative and power-filled. My takeaway, from the event wa were the four core characteristics  of the HUMAN RIGHTS. Firstly Our rights as human are inalienable- it can't be taken from us as citizens rather it is a national contract that must be enjoyed by all. Secondly, the universality of human rights- Human rights are the same in all countries of the world irrespective of ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, gender (sex) or political division. Thirdly, is the indisputablity of rights- Human rights cannot be challenged or denied anyone since they are entrenched, is applicable to all that has to do with human freedom in the society.

 Lastly, the indivisibilty of rights-Human rights like the dignity of persons, descent living and freedoms should be enjoyed by all citizens in its entirety. The event was graced by great men and women of courage, that have and still stand to speak against and challenge, the abuse of persons' rights and liberty in the past years. One of which was, Dr. Josphine Okei-Odumakin. Dr. Odumakin serves as a source of inspiration for young women, demonstrating courage as she actively addresses over 2,000 instances of women's rights violations. Her efforts extend to challenging extra-judicial practices carried out by government security agencies against women. Dr. Joe has won over 910 awards locally and internationally, including her Walk of Fame award for Civic Activism. 

P.S.(i)The U.S. First Lady, Michelle Obama, with Secretary of state, John Kerry presented Josephine’s award to her at the Dean Acheson Auditorium of the US State Department at a ceremony which coincided with the International Women’s Day. 

(ii) This write-up is also to celebrate my completion of a three months MOOC on HUMAN RIGHTS from Global Campus of Human Rights. Thanks!!