World Human Rights Day: Gaza Genocide Raises Hard Questions As To Concept Of Human Rights

The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) joins the United Nations, countries around the world, fellow human rights organizations and all peace-loving people in observing Human Rights Day that falls annually on December 10.

On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). In 1950, the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution 423(V) to officially recognize December 10 as Human Rights Day.

The Declaration of Human Rights was a promise of human rights for everyone around the world, regardless of their background. All countries around the world who are members of the UN are bound by the Declaration. No exceptions. There is no Israel exception.

This year’s Human Rights Day falls amidst several conflicts across the globe that are putting the very idea of human rights in doubt. The world has been witnessing two different sets of standards for human rights. The most powerful countries, including the US, choose to be selective as to human rights. This politicization of human rights has made human rights advocacy appear as a convenient tool to serve political interests and agendas. It is a huge disservice to the human rights cause.

The Israeli ongoing genocidal war against the occupied Palestinians in Gaza and in the West Bank and the Ukraine war are two prime examples of such double standards as to human rights. These two wars and how the West has dealt with them pushed many people to question the concept of human rights as proclaimed by the US and other Western countries.

The world is witnessing live industrial scale Israeli violations of human rights of Palestinians. Making matters worse is that the leading proponent of human rights in the world, the US, has been shamelessly providing unlimited support to the Israeli genocide. The level of deaths and destruction in Gaza is apocalyptic. The real numbers of the dead and injured are much higher than the reported ones. many remain buried under the rubble.

The genocidal war on Gaza is eviscerating the concept of human rights. The world is shocked that the US has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution simply calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The US ignored millions around the world, and in the US, who have been calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“The Israeli genocidal campaign on Gaza is a catastrophe for the people of Gaza,” said Imad Hamad, AHRC Executive Director. “The US position on this genocide has been a disaster for the cause of human rights,” added Hamad. “The damage will be with us for years,” concluded Hamad.