Saturday, August 27, 2016

On Human Rights

Thought bubble.

Human rights takes the backseat when it meets self interest in the eye (say, national self preservation of absorbing countries). Consider the Rohingyans, Syrians, and other refugees. Human rights were not fully and only relatively upheld although measures to alleviate the suffering groups were taken (citizen vs non-citizen).

Aren't we all absolutely humans as declared by default when 'human' rights is laid out and invoked?

Is the concept of human rights then less absolute than what we think it is? If it is so inalienable, why do we see it alienated from its bearers so often--so often when it is pitted against other values, interests, and urgencies?

With these questions, I find it difficult to talk about human rights in absolute terms without sounding hypocritical.