Human rights have been a fundamental part of human civilization; however, the way they've been violated and upheld through the years has kept on evolving with time with little or no likelihood of changes. In our 21st century, not much has changed, although we must at least give kudos to some aspects that help amplify the voice of the oppressed worldwide with the innovation of technology advancement in the 21st century. But despite all of these, there are still several happenings that violate human rights across the world; issues such as inequality, discrimination, and oppression are still a thing, and today I'll be reflecting on human rights in the 21st century.
I see this topic has a paradox, and that's because on one hand, in the 21st century, global awareness has been amplified beyond what anyone could ever imagine, with technology tools such as social media granting individuals the opportunity to speak up against any form of injustice and also make the bridge of human rights occurrence known to everyone across the globe in real time.
Yet on the other hand, we're still way far behind in a world where everyone's rights are being respected, inequality still triumphs, and the right still gets away with crimes that a poor man would commit half of and be sentenced to life or death for. It's just crazy; even human trafficking and modern slavery continue to the present day. Not everyone can afford to get their kids educated again because the cost has skyrocketed, not to mention the same is the case with our poor healthcare facilities and justice system, where fair legal hearing seems almost impossible, making access to all of these more of a privilege than a basic human right.
Earlier this year, a young man was arrested by the police for owning someone, and while his family tried to bail him, they refused, saying the family had to pay before all the amount he owed before he'll be released. They did get the money, but yet the police refused to release him, saying he'll be released the next day. Fast forward to midnight; the police called the family to come and pick him up, but then said it's late, that they go the next morning.
On getting to the police station, they were told that their son committed suicide overnight and that the police had taken him to the mortuary without the consent of the family. It's just crazy; I mean, how can someone whose debt has been paid commit suicide when he knows he'll be released the next day, or how can someone who's 6 ft tall commit suicide with a handkerchief tied to the door and him being on his knees? It's just ridiculous.
At the end of the day, when the family saw his body, they noticed he had a fresh cut on his stomach, and after examination, it was discovered that his organs had been harvested. Imagine such a crime being carried out by the police; who then can protect us if police are in such business? Also, the bridge of human rights I saw lately was how the EFCC usually arrests anyone that abuses our local currency, the naira, and either makes them pay a fine or go to jail for six months.
Many people have been sent to jail, including Bobrisky; even Cubana Chief Priest was arrested for the same offense and had to pay a fine. However, when a billionaire's son committed the same offense and everyone saw it, nothing was done to him. In fact, they're still walking freely today, and that further raises concerns about our human rights, justice system standards, and inequality issues that still linger in the 21st century.
Human rights should never been taken for granted, unfortunately that's the case we're facing even in this century, but then we must not relent, everyone must keep speaking up in the face of injustice around them, we must also educate people to know and understand their rights, so they won't think the basis things they're getting is a privilege and well know when to speak up when anyone bridges their fundamental human rights, but then overall, 21st century present both opportunities and challenges to human rights, but we must make sure we ultilise the available tools technology provided us in this age to collectively voice out to create a future where dignity, freedom and equality truely thrives.
All photos are taken and edited on canva.
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Human rights is a ridiculous thing in my eyes because I think it's only applicable for them who has the power and money. For the poor people there is no rights and there is not law for them. It sounds harsh but it's the reality.