In a striking address, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that human rights are being increasingly stifled worldwide, suffocated by persistent conflicts, violence, and authoritarian regimes. Speaking to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, he stressed, “Human rights are the oxygen of humanity,” highlighting how they are being systematically crushed by oppressive leaders and entrenched patriarchal values that hinder girls’ education and women’s rights.
Guterres firmly condemned leaders who silence dissent out of fear, reinforcing the dire consequences of their actions that restrict basic freedoms. He further decried how warmongers disregard international laws, resulting in conflicts that rob millions of essential resources like food, water, and education, perpetuating cycles of deprivation.
Adding to the urgency of the situation, Guterres pointed to a financial system he described as “morally bankrupt,” and the unregulated rise of technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, which threaten human dignity in unprecedented ways. He highlighted the alarming rise of intolerance towards marginalized communities, including Indigenous peoples, migrants, LGBTQI+ individuals, and those with disabilities, branding this hatred as a direct assault on decades of progress in human rights.
UN Chief Antonio Guterres highlighted the alarming decline of global human rights, dominated by conflicts, authoritarian regimes, and systemic oppression, particularly against women and marginalized groups. He warned of the ramifications of leaders suppressing opposition, the morally corrupt financial system, and unchecked technologies. Guterres called for urgent actions to protect the fragile gains made in human rights over the last eight decades.
Guterres’s impassioned plea underscores the urgent need for the global community to come together to safeguard human rights that are being increasingly undermined by rising authoritarianism, violent conflicts, and systemic injustices. Advocating for those who are most vulnerable, he reminds us that human dignity cannot be sacrificed at the altar of power or profit. Immediate action is necessary to protect the advances made over the last 80 years.
Original Source: www.tv360nigeria.com
