#99 Global Human Rights
Did you know to this day there are over 218 million child laborers worldwide? Over 73 million of these children are working in hazardous working environments, robbing them of their childhood and basic human rights. Global human rights, unfortunately, is still not granted to every human being on our planet. Until every human is given their inherent rights, our planet cannot live in peace.
What are Human Rights:
Human rights are defined as rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is supposed to be entitled to these rights, without discrimination, but that is not the case for many places around the planet. The United Nations created a comprehensive body of human rights law—a universal and internationally protected code to which all nations can subscribe and all people aspire – but, is this working to protect all humans? Take a look at these facts and decide for yourself.
Human Rights Facts:
Internationally there is estimated to be 20 million to 40 million people in modern slavery today – many of these situations are undocumented so the numbers could be higher.
40% of the world’s armed forces use child soldiers.
Human Rights Watch has reported girl soldiers being impregnated by their commanders and having to fight with their child strapped to their backs in numerous scenarios.
Millions of people are killed or displaced in regions like Darfur where ethnic cleansing and violent conflict occur.
The United Nations described the ongoing conflict in Yemen as “the worst man-made humanitarian crisis of our time.” Approximately 22.2 million people in Yemen require immediate assistance – with over 8 million citizens thought to be at risk of starvation.
War crimes or other violations of the “laws of war” were carried out in at least 18 countries.
Almost 75% of the world’s governments arbitrarily restrict freedom of expression.
Over 2,500 families migrating to the US were forcibly separated at the border.
In America, roughly 32,000 children have been admitted to adult prisons.
Tens of thousands of Syrian refugees are trapped in no man’s land when Jordan closed the border after a car bombing – about 40,000 people remain there.
How Can I Make An Impact ?
Tier 1: Global Goodness
Know the issues. Out of sight out of mind is how many people operate, but informing yourself on what is happening globally to our brothers, sisters and children is the beginning of change.
Join or start a group that is spreading awareness about global human rights. Local groups can help spread the word of violations in our local communities – as well as spread the word on the global events taking place.
Tier 2: Planet Protector
All of Action 1
Know which companies you are supporting. Do they support child labor? Are they paying individuals fair living wages? Research where your dollar is going, and stop supporting companies that don’t uphold fair wages, fair working conditions or child labor.
Tier 3: Earth Angel
All of Action 1 & 2
Talk to your local politicians. To fix a global problem, it is imperative to act as a global nation. Our country needs to do its part in stopping human rights violations.
Cultivate compassion. For example: when we come to the realization that all children are our children, we would care for all children the same way we care for our own. Connecting with the oneness of the one human race, will amplify compassion for what others are going through in the world.
Choose to be an Ambassador for Change, and always Spread Love and Spread Light.
