GEN 004(REFLECTION)

Name: HERAGA, MYLENE N. Class Number: BLOCK 1

Section: BSA 1-COC Schedule: T/F 1:00-4:00 PM/8:00-11:00 AM Date: NOV. 29,2021

According to Mary Robinson, ”Todays human rights violations are the causes of
tomorrow’s conflicts.” Human right is part of our lives. In fact, they are so much a part of
everyday living that we can often take them for granted. Consider how often you drink
clean water; eat food; go to school; say or write what you think; get treated by a doctor;
practice a religion (or not); or expect to be treated fairly by others. All of these everyday
activities depend on the adequate protection of your human rights, as well as those of
others. Every person has equal dignity and value. It is something to which we are
entitled by virtue of being human. Such rights are ascribed “naturally,” which means that
they are not earned and cannot be denied on the basis of race, creed, ethnicity or
gender. They are not a recent invention – ideas about rights and responsibilities have
been an important part of all societies throughout history. Since the end of World War II,
there has been a united effort by the nations of the world to decide what rights belong to
all people and how they can best be promoted and protected. One ways that we
recognize the fundamental worth of every person is by acknowledging and respecting
their human rights. Human rights are a set of principles concerned with equality and
fairness. They recognize our freedom to make choices about our lives and to develop
our potential as human beings. They are about living a life free from fear, harassment or
discrimination.
Human rights can broadly be defined as a number of basic rights that people
from around the world have agreed are essential. These include the right to life, the
right to a fair trial, freedom from torture and other cruel and inhuman treatment, freedom
of speech, freedom of religion, and the rights to health, education and an adequate
standard of living. These human rights are the same for all people everywhere – men
and women, young and old, rich and poor, regardless of our background, where we live,
what we think or what we believe. This is what makes human rights ‘universal’. A
person’s ability to enjoy their human rights depends on other people respecting those
rights. This means that human rights involve responsibility and duties towards other
people and the community. Individuals have a responsibility to ensure that they exercise
their rights with consideration for the rights of others. For example, when someone uses
their right to freedom of speech, they should do so without interfering with someone
else’s right to privacy. As a student who have witnessed various inhumane
circumstances and cruel situation ,I realized that the Philippines’ human rights situation
is dire, with the number of extrajudicial killings, illegal arrests, and attacks against
activists and critics unparalleled since the fall of the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.To
protect human rights is to ensure that people receive some degree of decent, humane
treatment. Because political systems that protect human rights are thought to reduce
the threat of world conflict, all nations have a stake in promoting worldwide respect for
human rights.
And in order to participate in addressing human rights situation in our country, I
will fight for human rights in my community, and country as a whole.First,I will get myself
involved in my local area and help support human rights across the world by joining or
starting a local group. Organizing or joining a campaigning group in my local community
is a great way to meet like-minded people and take action on the issues I care about.
Second, I will speak up for what I care about. I will set aside time to finally give that
cause that keeps nagging at my heart and reappearing in my life the attention it
deserves. We all have something that we care deeply about, whether because of an
experience we underwent, an encounter we’ve witnessed, or a story spoken by
someone close to us. Advocacy has a huge impact in communities everywhere. One
brave voice is enough to open up a channel for others to share their experiences and
support human rights. Our words have power. The more awareness created around an
issue, the more momentum there is for change to protect human rights.Third,I will listen
to others stories. I believe that there is incredible power in listening to someone’s story,
especially one that is vastly different from mine. With 7 billion people on one shared
planet, the world is full of diverse cultures, traditions, and ways of living that are
interesting to learn about. One important way is to empower survivors and people facing
injustices is by honoring and respecting their stories. Lastly, I will stand up against
discrimination. Discrimination has a way of creeping up in places we never imagined
encountering it. Yet it’s there, and the most important thing each of us can do is say
something – don’t let it slip by. Whenever I see someone else stand up, I will stand with
them. I believe that when we have each other as support, we are more empowered
against injustices in the workplace or in a classroom. There are more people on this
planet who help and uplift others than tear people down with words or hate. Acting
together, we’re powerful enough to pave a new path to equality and fairness. This is
only a start, barely scratching the surface of so amazing efforts to protect and support
human rights you can get involved in. We should have ways to make a difference and
protect human rights that we may have.
Without a doubt, democracy and human rights are in retreat today, and not only
in the Philippines, but across all continents. What can be done to arrest this current
period of democratic recession? I realized that we can and we must direct a righteous
rage toward this trend, in a manner that is both purposive and strategic. The road ahead
will be difficult, but we must persevere, building solidarity to affirm a politics of civility
and inclusion, while employing non-violent strategies in our parliaments, our courts, our
cyberspaces, and our streets. Let us be emboldened by an unrelenting will to stand up
for justice, and an undying faith in humanity’s capacity for good. If we do not struggle,
we will not overcome. We must push back. We need more democracy and not less of it,
and we must uphold human rights for there is no battle more important today.
Democracy and human rights are important enablers of human development that will
create conditions for people to reach their full potential. As long as persons in any part
of the world remain deprived of their fundamental rights and freedom, we are all
diminished. If we are unable to ensure the respect, protection, and fulfillment of human
rights and fundamental freedoms of all—especially the poorest and the most
marginalized—then the universal human rights project will indeed mean nothing. But
when we focus on our efforts to advance human rights, we will start seeing
opportunities every day to make the world a little bit better.

Online sources:
10 Reasons Why Human Rights Are Important
humanrightscareers.com

Things to know: Human rights in the Philippines

Rappler.com

Importance Of Knowing Your Rights

kengmorkafoundation.org