December 10 marks the annual celebration of the International Human Rights Day. This year's theme focuses on the recognition of the efforts done by human rights defenders who act to end discrimination.
Human rights defenders are people who, in their personal capacity, worked so hard to put an end to a seemingly endless violations against the basic human rights of people all over the world. They gave voice to the plight of victims of oppression and discrimination who have become mute due to fear of reprisals. They fought for the rights of the victims of violence. They have become the faces of justice.
Who and where are they - these human rights defenders? They can be ordinary people just like you and me. They can be somebody whose names are recognizable worldwide. They can be persons whom you meet in your daily life. They can be anywhere - in the countryside, the big cities, in a developed country or in the third world.
What makes a person a defender of human rights? What sets them apart from the rest of the populace? The reason is not that they are better educated or wealthier than the others but it is because they made a decision to take action. In a seemingly indifferent world, the defenders of human rights chose to be concerned and involved in the battle for the protection of the rights inherent in each human being.
Yes! March on, defenders of human rights. We salute you.
