Human rights are fragile — yet critical to our future

This year marks the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR), a landmark document adopted by the United Nations in 1948 to affirm the inherent dignity and equal rights of all people. 2024’s UN Human Rights Day comes at a moment of growing discontent and global challenges — social polarization, rising anti-immigrant sentiments, declining trust in institutions, threats to freedom of assembly and expression, and the urgent need for climate justice. 

Countries around the world came together more than seven decades ago to express their commitment to human rights through the UNDHR, providing a framework for how pluralistic societies can work together to support the equal worth of all human beings and contribute to a better world. 

Human Rights Day is an important moment for us to scrutinize and reflect on our efforts to date to develop a shared understanding and promote and protect human rights. 

“Out of the inhumanity and horrors of World War Two, and in the context of continuing segregation and colonial rule, there emerged a recognition of the need for change. We should be reminded, too, that this initial recognition, that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, did not extend to the colonized, to Indigenous peoples, and concepts of a shared humanity did not extend to LGBTQ2S+ persons or disabled peoples,” says Dr. Malinda Smith, vice-provost and associate vice president, research (equity, diversity and inclusion).

The 2024 theme, Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now, highlights a call for clear institutional actions to ensure human rights and the dignity of all persons remain bedrocks of democracy, ethical relationality, and values that are promoted to advance inclusivity across diverse communities. 

“Institutions of higher education are vital to educating about human rights in pluralistic societies. Those who study and work within universities have a responsibility to foster safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces for learning, research, and work, one where everyone can realize their full humanity and potential,” says Smith.

It is relatively recent in human history that human rights have been recognized and incorporated into the struggles for freedom and self-determination by the subjugated and have become a rallying cry to oppose the violence of colonialism, recognize the rights of displaced peoples and refugees, and call for an end to torture and use of gender-based violence in conflict.

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home — so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world.”

Eleanor Roosevelt, first chairperson of the UN Commission on Human Rights

Our rights

Jennifer Koshan is a professor in the Faculty of Law and the Research Excellence Chair in Family Violence, whose work focuses on equality, human rights law and gender-based violence. 

“’Human rights’ give people the language to describe the things they not only need but are legally entitled to — for example, freedom from violence and oppression, equal treatment by others, and systemic change that moves society forward in an inclusive way,” Koshan says. 

But they are also fragile and subject to change, she shares, because of constantly changing political leadership and landscapes, which has been seen in recent years around issues like reproductive rights. 

“In order to embrace human rights as a trustworthy pathway, members of historically disadvantaged groups must have human rights systems that they can access without barriers and that they can rely on to interpret rights and remedies robustly,” she says. 

Koshan says that several Canadian governments have used section 33 in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the notwithstanding clause, to override the rights of certain vulnerable groups, including trans and gender diverse youth and observant Muslim women. In fact, the rights of the most impoverished and marginalized people in society are often overlooked, and they have challenges in fixing these issues because of access to justice issues, and narrow interpretations of human rights. 

“We have to keep front and centre the idea that while democracy is important, it means more than majority rule — the protection of minority rights is a critical facet of our democracy,” she says. 

Our future

“As a student, given the time we are in, human rights mean empathy and dignity for each other, on our campus and on a global scale beyond our context,” says Students' Union President Ermia Rezaei-Afsah. 

Rezaei-Afsah is a fourth-year Faculty of Arts student, originally from Iran and moved with his family to Canada when he was 10 years old. His area of study is focused on history and anthropology, but he hopes to go into medical school after he finishes his degree. 

“When I reflect on this day and the concept, I think that without human rights and advocacy for them, we would not be able to engage in the way we do on this campus — our world wouldn’t be as kind.”

But it’s complicated, he notes, because the Declaration itself is Eurocentric, and the institutions which we operate in are inherently flawed because of their colonial foundations and they have not yet done a good job at bringing diverse people in. 

“I think Canada has a pretty good foundation, but I am worried about the future for my generation. I reflect on the fact that it hasn’t been good for all types of people for a long time.”

Saaka Sulemana Saaka is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Arts’ political science program and the president of the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA). He agrees that some of the greatest challenges to human rights are the systems we operate within. 

“In our academic work and leadership roles, we have seen first-hand how marginalized groups, particularly racialized people, women, and international students, face compounded vulnerabilities,” he says. “Addressing these challenges requires multi-level advocacy and a genuine commitment to systemic reform, built on courageous allyship that centers the voices and needs of those most impacted.”

Saaka has championed policies and initiatives at UCalgary that protect the rights of marginalized groups, including international students and equity-deserving communities, while also working to amplify the representation of these groups. 

“By continuing to center marginalized perspectives in decision-making rather than treating them as additives checkboxes, we can foster environments where diverse contributions thrive,” he says. 

“Human rights advocacy is not just an abstract ideal but a practical necessity for creating sustainable and inclusive societies. I hope our leaders can demonstrate courage and commitments in moving us a step closer to a world where our aspirations and ideals translate into tangible systemic changes that prioritize equity and justice, not just in the academy but across our societies.”

Right now

Dr. Gideon Christian is an associate professor and Research Chair in AI and Law, focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence, law, and racial justice, with a particular focus on racial biases in AI systems. 

Christian sees AI playing a critical role in the future of human rights by influencing access to justice, equity in decision-making and more governance accountability. 

“AI has the potential to be a powerful force for good by driving innovation and offering solutions to complex societal issues,” says Christian. “However, if unchecked, it can also perpetuate systemic biases and inequalities, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities.”

He notes that human rights violations by AI are often hard to see, but they come about from biased datasets, lack of transparency in decision-making algorithms, or insufficient accountability in the deployment. 

“Addressing these challenges requires robust legal frameworks, inclusive and ethical AI development practices, and ongoing interdisciplinary research to ensure AI aligns with human rights principles and serves as a tool for justice and equity rather than oppression and inequity,” he says. 

Christian believes the biggest opportunity AI offers for human rights is its ability to promote fairness, equality, and access to resources when used responsibly. 

“Achieving this requires collaboration, inclusivity, and strong legal and ethical frameworks to guide the development and deployment of the technology,” he says. 

A way forward

On this Human Rights Day, take an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of human rights and human dignity in your own spaces and everyday actions. We must ask ourselves and our institution:

• How do we integrate human rights in teaching, research, the work environment, and community engagement?
• What can I do to raise awareness and uphold human rights in my everyday relationships?
• Are we moving in the right direction to strengthen human rights in Calgary, in Alberta, in Canada? 
• Do I take action to mitigate bias and transform harassment and discrimination?
• How do we develop courage not to be bystanders to inequity and injustice?

Explore the resources the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion has developed focused on creating and fostering a more inclusive campus community.