Where Human Rights are only words (Part II)

America

Venezuela

In Venezuela, the economic crisis prevents a part of the population from having access to food, water and healthcare. The inflation rate has reached 186.7 % in 2022. It affects all of the population: the ones living under the poverty line (53.3%) and even the middle-class. President Nicolas Maduro’s government is accused, since 2022 of many allegations including torture and kidnapping of political opponents, arbitrary detentions (455 cases since 2015), and crimes against humanity.

These charges make state of a concerning flaw about education as 18% of children don’t attend school and 44,8% don’t attend regularly. Also, concerning health, over the last years, 72,4% of health centres experienced shortage of medicines. Moreover, it is reported that more than 550,000 children between 21 months and 12 years old did not receive, if not any, all their mandatory vaccines.

In addition, reports of sexual violence occurred, adding to the criminalization of abortion. In the reports there are “reports of forced sterilization, limited access to modern contraceptives and sexual and reproductive health services”.

The most recent violation of Human Rights in Venezuela happened last October during the presidential elections. Indeed, President Maduro is accused of falsifying the election result. The CNE (Consejo Nacional Electoral) confirmed Maduro’s win over his opponent Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia. However, they have not released any official proof of this win. Questioning about the legitimacy of this election has risen among Venezuelans and in other countries such as Colombia, Brazil and USA. This lack of transparency from the government is an abuse to the right to truth and fair democracy.

Middle East

Palestinian territories

Because of the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization since the October 7^th of 2023, tensions between the Hebrew state and the Hamas organization flew off the handle. It then turned into a huge humanitarian crisis for the Palestinian population in the Gaza strip. There, lived 2,2 million people. 1,9 million people were displaced by Israel’s military campaign, forcing them to either take refuge in the west bank of Jerusalem or more south in Gaza. It is estimated that 40,000 people, 2/3 being women and children, died since October 2023, due to bombings, starvation or from disease.

Violation of international humanitarian law occurred many times during this past year. First, when thousands of homes were destroyed by the military or in early 2024 and also when no humanitarian aid was brought to the population because of slow negotiations for a cease-fire.

Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, examples of Human Rights violations are common. The fact that the country is a religiously ruled monarchy makes it opportune for abuses. First, expressing certain opinions is harshly punished by prison sentences or even death penalties in unfair trials. As an example, many Human Rights or any other cause defenders get usually arbitrarily detained and travel bans.

Moreover, as Saudi Arabia is one the biggest producer of oil in the world, rigs are everywhere in the country, thus, making emissions of carbon high. Environmental issues and polluted air make many big cities like Jeddah unhealthy to live in.

Women’s rights are also of huge concern. Indeed, until 2015, women couldn’t vote and until 2018 they couldn’t drive. They still have a very traditional role in a conservative country where religion is deeply rooted.

Many concerns about Human Rights in Saudi Arabia arise in the world. The EU and Al-Akhdar have held multiple talks about this subject. However, no improvement really comes out of these talks.

Africa

DR Congo

Due to the conflict between the military and the M23 rebel group in the eastern part of the country, many casualties involving the population create many concerns over a humanitarian crisis. Large-scale attacks targeting population were reported, unlawful killings and ethnically based murders already made thousands of victims. Armed groups carry on their killing spree onto the Hema community, while perpetrating sexual crimes on women. Indeed, more than 38,000 cases of sexual violences have been reported by the UNICEF, only in the Nord Kivu region. There are also cases of forced prostitution.  

More than 7 million people were internally displaced by the assaults and most of them either live in inhumane conditions with poor access to water or food or are still subject to the violences committed by the M23 rebels. Children cannot go to school anymore.

Indeed, the widespread arbitrary detentions and unfair trials against journalists and activists who express their opinion about the government makes it harder for people to know what is happening in DR Congo. This makes the hope of peace less likely. Moreover, detention conditions are unlawful, putting inmates in overcrowded cells, with a poor access to hygiene. It is estimated that the Congolese prisons hold 2,000% inmates over their intended capacity.

Conclusion

Nowadays, Human Rights are not a standard, they are a privilege. In many places, they are only words. This is why it is more than important to fight for those who don’t have this privilege. In all continents, millions of people are victims of conflits, poverty, natural disasters and else. The 21st century has to be the one when everything that can be done will be done.

All informations on Human Rights across the world: Amnesty International report