‘No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.’
United Nations General Assembly 10 December 1948
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
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.
The violation of Article 5 is a cause of poverty to a greater extent than that believed by the international committee. The violation can be because of conflict within an area or a superior group torturing a group of humans believed to be inferior because of their color, social status or belief. The world already has poverty to tackle and increasing it is the rise of conflict within our time. Protecting the rights of humans is a matter of obligation and not of charity. Wars solve nothing but instead destroy lives, homes, dreams and hopes for the future. The violation of Article 5 is a cause of poverty.
“The protection and promotion of the universal values of the rule of law, human rights and democracy are ends in themselves. They are also essential for a world of justice, opportunity and stability. No security agenda and no drive for development will be successful unless they are based on the sure foundation of respect for human dignity.”
Kofi Annan in ‘Larger Freedom’
An example of the cause of poverty through the violation of Article 5 is in Darfur Sudan. This began in 2003 when black African Muslims from Darfur rebelled against the country’s Arab Muslim leaders wanting improved infrastructure, proceeds from oil wealth and a power sharing government. This was because Darfur is one of the world’s poorest and most inaccessible region. Poverty is not a matter of choice and is one of the issues the world is still yet to solve and eradicate for good. Millions die due to poverty and one can sympathies with the people of Darfur for calling for a change in their country.
However, the government’s response was torture and violence to the people. Most people fled from their arid desert homes and have since crowded camps in Chad. The killings of mostly black African Muslims have been blamed on an Arab militia known as the Janjaweed. Like their victims the Janjaweed are Muslim, but are accused of ethnic atrocities including burning and destroying villages in parts of Darfur and of slaughtering men, women and children.
The Darfur crisis has caused poverty as the victims have no sense of security, as more deaths arise, their homes are destroyed, poverty increases. They don’t have the liberty to work as their lives are endangered and one would not be able to work in the middle of a crisis. No employment, no food, no proper living shelter, in an area which is already poverty stricken is a crisis in itself. Thousands die on a regular basis because of lack of food, health aid, sanitation and proper living shelters, in my eyes as a youth the torture of human beings justified or unjustified is a major cause of poverty. Youths are left without parents and a basic education to fend for themselves and so as a result poverty will always be within the area.
Article 5 can be protected from being violated by setting an international law recognized by all members of the general assembly, protecting innocent civilians from the tortures of wars and unjustified cruel, inhuman and degrading situations like the one in Darfur. The international leaders should not just set these standards but they should take action if the humanitarian laws are violated. Military strength can be used or effective sanctions can be put into place until the violation of the law has ceased. In the case of Darfur, great powers have threatened the Sudan government, agreements have been signed but still threats are not enough and millions continue being tortured daily in Darfur. An action is the only way to get the point across that the global village condemns the killing and torturing of innocent civilians.
As a youth I’m calling for peace in this world. With wars and the continuous violations of human rights like Article 5 then one important millennium development goal of poverty eradication will not be achieved. This human rights day lets remember those in poverty and try make this world a better place. I believe there’s good inside man kind and with it we can make this world a better place. Stop the violation of human rights…
written by: Ndana Chaima
Zimbabwe
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