UN Must Intensify Efforts At Promoting Human Rights 

NEWS COMMENTARY ON UN DAY

UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. 24th October has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly recommended that the day be observed by Member States as a public holiday but this recommendation is not been implemented in most countries. The United Nations Day marks the birthday of the founding Charter, the landmark document that embodies the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the peoples of the globe. In his 2018 UN Day message, the Secretary General António Guterres stated that quote “Every day, the women and men of the United Nations work to give practical meaning to that Charter.” Unquote. He stressed that despite the odds and the obstacles, the UN will never give up adding that extreme poverty is being reduced but UN sees inequality growing. Yet it wouldn’t give up because it knows by reducing inequality hope will be increased and opportunity and peace around the world will be enhanced. Another key issue that borders the UN is climate change. Climate Change is said to be moving faster than it is thought. This, the UN has pledged to fight. According to the Secretary General the UN will not give up on this because it knows that climate action is the only path to traverse. Human rights are being violated in so many places. States, groups, companies and individuals are abusing people’s rights across the globe.

It is important for the UN to intensify efforts geared towards the promotion of human rights since respect for human rights and human dignity is a basic condition for peace. Wars, conflicts, inhumane treatments and slaughtering of citizens of the earth are multiplying. The UN needs to do more to curtail the conflicts and the killing of innocent people. Yes the UN can be lauded for its interventions in the war ravaged Nations but the world body needs to be a little more resolute in its sanction regimes to end the excesses. To the UN Chief, António Guterres even though conflicts are multiplying and people are suffering, the UN will not give up because it knows every man, woman and child deserves a life of peace. This is reassuring enough for the citizens of the planet.
On United Nations Day, let us reaffirm our commitment as alluded to by the UN Chief: quote “To repair broken trust. To heal our planet. To leave no one behind. To uphold dignity for one and all, as united nations.” Unquote. We wish the UN well in its endeavours to assist nations to achieve lasting peace and development on the wheels of the sustainable development goals.

BY: JONATHAN THOMPSON, A JOURNALIST.