Human Rights Day 2016
Statement by His Grace Bishop Angaelos,
General Bishop
of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom
of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom
10 December 2016
As another
year draws to a close and we mark Human Rights Day 2016, the importance of the
sanctity of every human life remains challenged in far too many places in our
world. This is despite various charters and conventions put in place to
safeguard the lives of all. While humanity is seen to be rapidly advancing in
many areas we are, as a global community, guilty of neglecting and even
forsaking basic God-given rights and freedoms which were bestowed indiscriminately
upon all; rights that must continue to underpin our values and choices if we
seek to preserve justice, peace and freedom.
Human
Rights Day commemorates the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights[1] in
1948, which set out to provide a
common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations to be universally
protected.
Among
the various safeguards outlined in the Charter, yet clearly still violated
across our world today, is Article 3, which states: “Everyone has the right to
life, liberty and security of person.” This is sadly in stark contrast to the
way in which many are forced to exist in parts of our world. Likewise, Article
14 outlines that “Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries
asylum from persecution,” a right now threatened by vast global displacement that has in part resulted from the overlooking of gross human rights violations over
decades against those who now seek refuge. On the matter of Religious Freedom
in particular, Article 18, a right still grossly violated in many countries states
that “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion…either
alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his
religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.” This of
course is starkly different from the reality that 5.3 billion people,
representing 76% of the world’s population, live in countries with a high
or very high level of restrictions on religion[2]. Other
articles within the Charter deal with education, legal representation, quality
of life, and other key issues, yet how many of the countries that subscribe to
this charter truly abide by it in its entirety?
We should
not forget however, that so many within the religious, civic and political
spheres work tirelessly to advocate for the protection of these basic human
rights, and their efforts must be supported and praised. We owe a great debt of
gratitude to countless religious leaders, advocates, lawyers, politicians,
healthcare professionals, aid workers, volunteers, and so many more who risk
their lives for the sake of others.
Whether
speaking of religious freedom, freedom of thought or conscience, asylum,
education or any other right outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, we must realise that all of these rights are fundamental, as without
them we allow for inequality, injustice, marginalisation, and oppression. We
must also remember that to protect the rights of others is to protect our own.
Remembering
that there is a foundation for our actions that pre-exists this and similar
charters, the Christian message calls us to live as the image and likeness of
God, and if we are to do so faithfully, the Scriptures provide a model for us
to follow in the way that He Himself has dealt with humanity, saying “He
administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger,
giving him food and clothing” (Deuteronomy 10:18).
We pray
that those who work tirelessly to safeguard the rights of others are supported in
their continuing and faithful work, and that more commit to the active
promotion and safeguarding of these basic human rights that protect us all. We
also pray for all those deprived of their basic human rights across our global
community, that they find comfort and peace, knowing that many around the world
still work tirelessly to alleviate their pain.