Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

The Unmitigated Violation of Human Rights

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The Unmitigated Violation of Human Rights

“Modern man has brought this whole world to an awe-inspiring threshold of the future. He has reached new and astonishing peaks of scientific success. He has produced machines that think and instruments that peer into the unfathomable ranges of interstellar space. He has built gigantic bridges to span the seas and gargantuan buildings to kiss the skies…. Yet, in spite of these spectacular strides in science and technology, and still unlimited ones to come, something basic is missing. There is a sort of poverty of the spirit which stands in glaring contrast to our scientific and technological abundance,” these words were spoken by a Nobel laureate Martin Luther King.
The escalated violence and bloodshed, violation of human rights and extreme cruelty unfold man’s megalomania and insatiable thirst for power. The collective life is void of virtue since atrocity and moral corruption prevail around the globe. A civil society, where people could exercise their rights and liberty, is no more than a dream. The headlines of newspapers are replete with bloodcurdling stories: killing innocent civilians, massacring ethnic minority groups, raping women, discriminating one on the grounds of their race and color, etc.
Lack of spiritual practice has left a deep vacuum in modern life. Our old literature which was full of divine love, virtue and sanctity has been changed into banality and the modern literature is replete with Hollywood love, licentious terms, immoral words, cinematic friendship and nakedness. Ethical code and cultural values are at stake. Human dignity is underestimated. Love has been restricted within cinemas and fake stories. But the human dignity of women are violated both in theatrical and real life. Their charm and beauty are used in advertisement gimmicks and films with a view to making business.
The spirit of brotherhood is missing in modern world. People are segregated on the basis of their caste, color and creed. Radical ideology and frequent stereotypes have left no room for tolerance and acceptance. Fundamental groups have engendered horror and terror around the world. Public air is filled with chagrin and mistrust. Ethnocentrism, selfishness and racial superiority created gaps among nations. Disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind.
We live in modern world but men’s dream for a utopian world has not come true. Democratic discourse and civil society have been hotly debated but the true spirit of democracy is missing. Men’s pains and sufferings continue unabated. That is to say, all individuals suffer in one way or another. According to reports, gruesome violations allegedly carried out by members of Myanmar’s security services or civilian fighters working alongside the army and the police. Of the 101 women interviewed, more than half said they had been raped or sexually assaulted. Several women told UN investigators how their young children, including a newborn, were trampled or cut to death. Security forces were also accused of opening fire at people fleeing and burning entire villages, as well as of “massive and systematic rape and sexual violence; deliberate destruction of food and sources of food”.
No wonder, violence and bloodshed stem from lack of religious and racial tolerance. For instance, fundamental groups who practice upon harsh ideology are engaged in war in the Middle East and organize nationwide attacks. The self-styled Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) tramples upon the rights of men, women, and children in the worst possible way. ISIL fighters spread Islamophobia around the Europe through carrying out deadly attacks. They feel no iota of mercy to the innocent civilians. In a nutshell, it is too hard to put their atrocity and inhumanity into words. They have blackened the history and put a stain on the collective conscience. They are always spreading fear and hatred via harsh practices.
Our modern world is void of humanity and spirituality. The empathic or sympathetic feelings towards the poor have declined. One will not realize the painful dystopia of those who burn in the hell of misery. Those who live in skyscrapers and eat sumptuous food will not feel the anguish of the people who have no roof over their heads. All individuals are engaged in their self-interests, be it at the cost of one’s life or reputation. The humane feelings are moribund and the poor are given cold shoulder.
Our world, including Afghanistan, is full of heart-wrenching stories. In the tribal belt of Afghanistan, women’s bodies are riddled with bullets for crossing the red line of traditional structure, children are harassed sexually and men are killed in cold blood. A single day does not pass without a tragic incident as if our nation is doomed to suffer. A number of people lose their lives in terrorist attacks or suicide bombings and some fear to fall in the same destiny. Therefore, there is a faint hope that one will not be left at the mercy of terrorism. After all, the tragedies are changing into part of life and can hardly touch one’s heart. We live in the world of indifferences and cruelty. Although technology has mitigated some of the challenges, the core of the problem which is instability and violence remain unsolved. The world has to enhance the spirit of brotherhood and promote tolerance so as to live in a peaceful society.

Hujjattullah Zia is the permanent writer of the Daily Outlook Afghanistan. He can be reached at zia_hujjat@yahoo.com

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