To view historically, the modern sense of human rights can be traced to Renaissance Europe and the Protestant Reformation, alongside the disappearance of the feudal authoritarianism and religious conservativism that dominated the middle Ages. One theory is that human rights were developed during the early Modern period.

17th-century English philosopher John Locke discussed natural rights in his work, identifying them as being “life, liberty, and estate”, and argued that such fundamental rights could not be surrendered in the social contract.

History shows that mankind has fought to protect his rights and dignity. A myriad of people sacrificed their life to break the chains of slavery and to gain freedom. Rivers of blood streamed to maintain liberty and dignity. Violating man’s natural and inalienable rights, has constantly outraged man’s conscience and led to catastrophic wars. People preferred death to subjugation and humiliation. Ultimately, Human Rights’ law was established to curb the life-threatening challenges and mortal battles and claimed to bring universal peace.

It is stated in the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as, “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law….”

The historical violence and bloodshed, which wrecked deadly havoc on human societies, originated from violation of human rights, aggression and tyranny. In other words, when men found their rights and dignity at risk, they had “recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression”. They felt compelled to raise their voice against the despotic regimes and cruel rulers at the cost of their life. They had to revitalize the spirit of humanity and moral norms in human societies through donating blood – it is far more honorable than having one’s bleed shed in vain under dictatorial regimes. UDHR states in article 1 as, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

Human rights seem to be trampled upon to a large extent across our country. Afghans lose their lives in terrorist acts, women sustain honor killing, physical and mental tortures, vitriol, humiliation, etc. and children are engaged in backbreaking chores in their early childhood being deprived of their rights to education.

Addressing a special gathering on Wednesday April 08, 2015 in Kabul entitled “future of human rights in Afghanistan” the Chief Executive Officer of the National Unity Government (NUG) Abdullah Abdullah said that he was not satisfied with the performance of the government over the past few months, adding that justice was also not being implemented in the judicial system. He believes that without respecting human rights and maintaining justice in its true spirit, it will be impossible to move the country toward longstanding peace and stability - an issue which was stressed constantly by the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC).

The AIHRC chairperson Sima Samar said, “The National Unity Government must undertake inclusive and effective programs and initiatives to strengthen human rights, because the achievements gained are at risk.” She cited the death of Farkhunda – a 27-year-old woman who was lynched by angry mob near the Shah-e Doh Shamshira shrine and mosque in Kabul – and the abduction of 31 Afghan travelers as violation of human rights.

Meanwhile, the UN special representative in Afghanistan, Nicholas Haysam, said on Wednesday that the National Unity Government must not undermine human rights during the peace negotiation process and that it must consider women’s rights in the talks.

Haysam said, “We believe our support of Afghan human rights institutions, notably the AIHRC, is as important as any other human rights advocacy work UNAMA undertakes. The future of human rights protection rests ultimately with Afghans not with the international community.”

The Afghanistan High Peace Council (HPC) has also given its assurance that it will not compromise on women’s rights while conducting talks with the Taliban.

“Women will be part of the process, they will be engaged in talks from the beginning and the women’s role will not just be symbolic,” HPC secretary Masoom Stanikizai said.

Afghanistan has committed to observe the UDHR, as it is said in the preamble of Afghanistan Constitution, “We the people of Afghanistan Observing the United Nations Charter as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights….” Moreover, men and women are entitled to equal rights in the Constitution as it declares in article 22, “Any kind of discrimination and distinction between citizens of Afghanistan shall be forbidden. The citizens of Afghanistan, man and woman, have equal rights and duties before the law.”

Hope we enjoy a civil society, void of oppression and violation of rights, in near future and jettison discriminations on the basis of race, color, sex and belief.