ALL HUMAN – ALL EQUAL: International Human Rights Day from Ms.Nardos Bekele-Thomas

International Human Rights Day: Statement by the United Nations Resident Coordinator  Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas

International Human Rights Day marks a global celebration of humanity’s consensus that human rights are universal and inherent to everyone regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language or any other status. It is therefore fitting that this year’s commemoration takes place under the theme “Equality - Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights”, in recognition of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its fundamental principle that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. 

Since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 76 years ago, the world has made tremendous strides in achieving the early vision encapsulated in the Declaration that is the realisation of all human rights for all people, everywhere.

Today, we also mark 25 years since the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa was signed into law. A mere three decades ago, South Africa was defined by a government that discriminated against the country’s majority. They were routinely denied their human rights and fundamental freedoms. South Africa’s transformation to a thriving democracy with a progressive and globally respected Constitution founded on equality, human dignity, and freedom is a remarkable achievement.

Compared to 25 years ago, access to electricity, safe drinking water and improved sanitation has steadily increased. Millions of children now attend no-fee schools, while individuals benefitting from the social protection grant have increased six fold. South Africa also boasts the largest HIV antiretroviral treatment programme in the world, and more people have been lifted out of poverty

Yet, even as progress has been made, inequality has served to hamper poverty reduction. 

We need a new social contract, which more fairly shares power, resources and opportunities and sets the foundations of a sustainable human rights-based economy. As the United Nations Secretary-General has said, the pandemic presents an opportunity to develop a New Social Contract at the national level, and to aspire to a New Global Deal at the international level. This is important for South Africa to consider as it seeks to recovery better and take a leap forward into a more justice, inclusive and prosperous post COVID19 era. 

Economic and social rights, and the right to development, are universal rights – they are essential factors in building more peaceful and equal societies.

As we celebrate 25 years of South Africa’s constitutional democracy, the country should renew its commitment to adopt a human-rights based approach to sustainable development.  A whole-of-society approach, where trust is built between leaders and citizens is necessary to achieve this aspiration. The United Nations family recommits to working hand-in-hand with Government, civil society, the private sector and South African citizens from all walks of life in meeting these challenges and ending these pandemics.

Even as the global community and nation states continue to be tested by the havoc wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, today marks a day to celebrate South Africa’s history of resilience, and identify opportunities to build back a better, fairer, greener and a substantively more equal society.

Let us unite in our diversity and demonstrate that the fundamental principle of the Sustainable Development Agenda to leave no one behind and reach those further behind first is achievable.

I thank you.