The scourge of war and terrorism has caused indescribable sorrow and immense suffering for nations and violated the rights and liberties of many individuals around the globe. Deadly acts by radical extremists have struck a blow to reginal and global peace leaving little room for the spirit of brotherhood. With relentless conflicts, “freedom from fear and want” remains an unattainable dream.
Despite the fact that all nations have reaffirmed their “faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom”, as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, people’s pain and suffering continue unabated. Life has turned too cheap. Human rights discourse, national and international conferences with the aim of alleviating public sufferings and reducing violence have not been a panacea for our problems. Modern world left men at the mercy of greater threats i.e. more destructive weapons. Nuclear powers menace one another. Men’s lust for power has whetted their appetite for further bloodshed. Moral values are in decline and altruistic feelings are moribund.
Worst of all, the emergence of modern terrorist networks blackmails the entire world. People of any race and religion are targeted violently by militant fighters.
Tragic stories about human fatalities no more carry weight and one’s heart is no more melted with human catastrophes, which have been changed into daily practices. That is, the vacuum of philanthropy that used to be a serious issue and the void of true soul of democracy are greatly felt in human societies. The soulful stories of war victims fall on deaf ears.
To advocate for human rights and extend the room for tolerance and peaceful coexistence, the world will have to adhere to the “community of shared future” or “shared prosperity”. In other words, building a violence-free society where all people can exercise their rights and liberties is possible only through global efforts.
One will remember vividly the image of 3-year-old Syrian boy Alan Kurdi who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea on September 2, 2015. The photo shocked the public conscience regardless of religious, racial or ethnic background. It demonstrates that we live in the global village and one’s pain and sufferings will hurt the feelings of all nations around the world.
Practicing upon the “golden rule” is a blueprint for building a peaceful and harmonious society. The golden rule says that one must be treated on the basis of being human – no matter what faith and belief they cherish or which racial or ethnic background they belong to. This truth transcends nations and peoples and beats in the heart of billions.
Meanwhile, the world has to follow the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which advocates human rights, gender equality and the promotion of a culture of peace and nonviolence, all believed to be the root of common prosperity for human societies.
Human societies should seek to safeguard human rights and dignity. It must be noted that only military action will not mitigate the current challenges, we need to pursue peace and security through non-violent mechanism.
Human rights norms are deeply rooted in ethical codes and moral conscience. Fundamental rights and freedoms are based on moral standards. Thus, morality is the mainstay of human rights and humanitarian law. It is said that the principle of respecting human dignity is the cornerstone of humanitarian law. To view the globally accepted principles that are based on humanity and universal ethics, individuals and human societies need to practice upon them so as to put an end to violence and atrocities. Indeed, if we do not observe international instruments, ethical code, or humanity, people will suffer inhuman treatment and violation of their rights and dignity.
It is self-explanatory that if the world does not promote the spirit of brotherhood, religious tolerance, and racial acceptance, the bleeding will continue and fill people with sense of revenge. The ongoing catastrophes around the globe are the tragedy of our century.
Martin Luther King, a Nobel Laureate, said, “In spite of these spectacular strides in science and technology, and still unlimited ones to come, something basic is missing. There is a sort of poverty of the spirit which stands in glaring contrast to our scientific and technological abundance”. With this in mind, the vacuum of moral values have to be filled or else war and conflict will simply compound the pain and suffering of mankind.