According to the United Nations, human rights are fundamental rights inherent to every individual, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. These rights encompass the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to work, education, and more. They are universal and must be upheld for all people without discrimination.
However, human rights remain threatened in many parts of the world, particularly in the regions where humanitarian efforts, such as ours, are most focused.
Description of The Day
Human Rights Day is observed annually on December 10th to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. Drafted by representatives from diverse legal and cultural backgrounds, the UDHR was proclaimed as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and nations, setting out fundamental human rights to be universally protected. This day serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and the importance of defending these rights universally.
While not legally binding, since its adoption, it has become the most translated document in the world, influencing over 60 human rights instruments and inspiring the constitutions of newly independent states and emerging democracies, establishing an international framework for human rights.
Current Situation of Human Rights in the World
The humanitarian crises in Gaza and Sudan, the persecution of Rohingyas, and Uighurs, the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Myanmar, Ethiopia, and the Sahel, the devastating natural disasters impacting millions in Bangladesh, Libya, and Canada, the Taliban’s systematic suppression of women’s rights in Afghanistan, and the increasing incidence of hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people all highlight the dire state of global human rights. These issues underscore some of the most pressing and alarming human rights violations confronting the world today.
Whenever governments ignore or reject the universal principles of human rights, individuals suffer through the loss of freedoms, health, livelihoods, and sometimes their lives. As a result, human rights and humanitarian crises have raised questions about the effectiveness of the human rights framework in providing protection and driving positive change. However, this should maintain the importance of the human rights framework, which has made significant progress in advancing the protection of freedom and dignity for people worldwide. It sends a powerful message of commitment to safeguarding people’s freedom and dignity, no matter who they are or where they live.
MOAS on the Human Rights Day
MOAS fully supports the aim of the UN GA resolution on the observance of the Human Rights Day – namely A/RES/423 (V). Since our birth in 2014, we have been dedicated to supporting those people whose fundamental rights have been threatened due to their dangerous journeys in the Mediterranean Sea in an attempt to reach Europe for a better and safer life.
Throughout the years, we have expanded our scope of action, intending to do something concrete against conflict-induced human rights violations in some of the most critical world areas.
Missions of Hope in Yemen, Somalia and Sudan
It is sadly known that the outbreak of civil wars is bringing about the most severe humanitarian crises in Middle East, Horn of Africa and Africa.
In Yemen, Somalia and Sudan, which are hit by climate change which, alone, puts at risk people’s fundamental rights – e.g. the right to adequate food, the right to health – such rights are even more threatened by the ongoing internal conflicts (just think about the use of starvation as a method of warfare, recognised as a war crime by the customary International Humanitarian Law)
After all, conflict and global warming are highly correlated: a 2015 influential study, found that every 1°C increase in temperature increases conflict between individuals (e.g. assault, murder) by 2.4% and conflict between groups (e.g. civil war) by 11.3%. Another very interesting article published in Nature in 2019 estimates that climate has influenced between 3% and 20% of armed conflict risk over the last century, and the influence is likely to increase dramatically.
In the face of this dramatic situation, from a humanitarian point of view, MOAS could not stand by and do nothing. Respectively, in 2019, 2020, and 2023, we launched our Missions of Hope in Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan to deliver therapeutic food and medical supplies to the most vulnerable people whose human rights have been violated. As a result, we have shipped a total of 250 tonnes of nutritional aid and 325.000 worth of medical supplies to Yemen; 130 tonnes of therapeutic food to Somalia; and 52 tonnes of nutritional aid to Sudan, and we aspire to reach even higher numbers in the future, hoping for the end of the crisis the soonest possible.
Saving Lives on the Frontlines in Ukraine
Since the very first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, civilians’ fundamental rights have been under constant threat. People, soldiers and civilians are denied the right to receive medical treatment due to the bombardments on hospitals and other crucial infrastructures.
According to an article published by Human Rights Warch in July 2024, “since Russia commenced its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, at least 1,736 medical facilities in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed”.
On February 25th 2022, one day after the beginning of the war, MOAS launched its new program in Ukraine to directly support both civilians and soldiers whose right to receive medical threats is denied due to the ongoing conflict. The mission consists of carrying out the evacuation of injured soldiers from the frontlines to hospitals and the treatment of both military and civilian patients who have been affected by violence.
As a result, a fleet of 51 ambulances and a team of more than 150 doctors, medics and drivers are bravely working every day in the field to safeguard the human rights of Ukrainians affected by the conflict. More specifically, to date, our volunteers have treated 62,000 patients, proudly managing not to lose a single life. Moreover, thanks to the collaboration with Ronald McDonald House Charities Latvia, we have also reached isolated communities with a Mobile Medical Unit, providing critical healthcare to over 28,000 civilians.
Final thoughts
Human Rights Day 2024 underscores the vital need for global action to ensure the protection of fundamental rights and freedom for everyone, particularly in regions experiencing severe threats deriving from – civil and international – conflicts. Organisations like MOAS are crucial in concretely contributing to the fight against such terrible violations of human rights in conflict areas like Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, and Ukraine. Your support of our humanitarian missions would make a massive difference in the struggle for an equal and fairer world, far from violence and injustice.
Your support can make a difference. Please consider donating to help us continue our missions and save lives. Visit www.moas.eu/donate to contribute. For more updates on our work, follow us on social media, sign up for our newsletter, or contact us at [email protected].
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.