In a stark warning delivered to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres lamented that human rights worldwide are increasingly being stifled. He stated that governments resort to tyranny to suppress opposition, fearful of the strength an empowered populace might wield. Guterres painted a grim picture, describing how patriarchal systems prevent girls from accessing education while denying women basic rights, illuminating the pervasive struggle against oppressive regimes.
Guterres proceeded to address the catastrophic impact of armed conflicts, stating that warmongers disregard international law while wars devastate essential human rights such as access to food, clean water, and education. This systematic erosion of rights is heightened by a “morally bankrupt global financial system,” which exacerbates inequality. Furthermore, he cautioned that runaway technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, pose significant threats to human rights through ease of exploitation and violation.
The UN chief underscored a troubling rise in intolerance towards various communities, including Indigenous peoples, migrants, and the LGBTQI+ community, among others. He noted that such divisive rhetoric portrays human rights as an obstacle to those in pursuit of power and control rather than as a universal necessity. Together, these pressures craft a menacing landscape where the bedrock principles of human rights, established over the last eight decades, face unprecedented challenges.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres articulated a grave warning about the global suffocation of human rights. He identified forces such as autocracy, war, and a failing financial system as major contributors to this crisis. The rights of many communities are increasingly under threat, with technology and intolerance compounding the issue. Guterres stressed the importance of protecting human rights, established over decades, that are now facing dire challenges.
Antonio Guterres’ assertions highlight a critical global crisis where human rights are under siege from multiple fronts. Autocrats, conflict, and systemic inequality contribute to a landscape of oppression where rights are progressively dismantled. The interplay of technological advancements and rising intolerance further compounds this dilemma, threatening the foundational human rights advancements achieved throughout history. Without concerted action, the fabric of human rights protection may unravel, leaving humanity gasping for the oxygen of freedom and dignity.
Original Source: www.manilatimes.net
