Human Rights: A Contemporary Perspective with Social Implications

Author: Shridansh Tripathi, Barkatullah University.

The present article discusses the issues around the human rights philosophy as it finds itself between universality and continuity, amid the more practical challenges of global political dynamics. It surveys the long development of human rights, from early philosophical musings well into the modern legal frameworks, rendering them alive to the idea of human dignity and equality. Yet, contemporary threats like digital surveillance, the digital divide, climate changes, and refugee-type crises, much clearer economic inequalities' which is observable under the sun. In many cases, new technologies and environmental rights invoke pressure for more scrutiny and integration into the remit of human rights advocacy. Some common research gaps include the roles of intersectionality, comparatively underrated effects of technological advancement, and, lest we forget, the ever-answerable role of cultural relativism against universalism. These shortcomings delay the solutions and their equitable dissemination. This article highlights actions to strengthen the current legal frameworks and facilitate intersectional advocacy, and promote the utilization of technology in creating a transparent and inclusive world. Education, and intergovernmental cooperation are some solutions this work presents to address the plateful of challenges. The article calls for collective action in closing the research gaps, improving institutional efficacy, implementing policies such as The EU Artificial Intelligence Act and building a future where human rights are of utmost importance. This innovation, solidarity, and commitment speak of a world where justice and equality will not be nothing but visible strands to rise every day for the common good.

Human Rights, Contemporary challenges, Digital Surveillance, Inequality, Human labor, EU AI Act, Environmental degradation, Gender Discrimination.

Think about a world without a road map to justice. That was the world prior to the formation of Human Rights. However, in 1948, a single document changed humanity's future. It was more than writing on paper. Human rights are universal rights that are held by each person, irrespective of nationality, ethnicity, gender, or other statuses, upon which a society can be built. These rights have found expression in international charters such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and adhere to humanity, dignity, equality, and freedom. However, debate around humans remains as relevant today as they did soon after World War II. Social changes, technology advancement, and environmental issues have brought new agendas to the concept of human rights, laying the flaw in the conceptual and practical applications of human rights. This article discusses contemporary human rights issues, illustrates research gaps that exist, and recommends forwarding-looking strategies for human rights advocacy and enforcement.

A long history full of tangles, the road towards human rights formation was not an easy one, it led various religious riots and philosophical inquiries to make human rights what they are today. Among the earliest of documents which limits the sovereign power and guarantees individuals their freedoms in 1215 was the Magna Carta. During the Age of Enlightenment, thinkers like John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau contributed natural rights of life, liberty, and property-as natural endowments that should be protected by the government.

As the dust from World War II settled in 1945, nations came to a belief and agreed upon a clause that they would never fight again. World witnessed terrible crimes, and they knew that the lack of a universal moral framework had allowed such evils to flourish. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948[1] reason being the 2nd World war. This action stands a milestone in human history that established some possibilities for universal rights to be applicable to all human beings. Other treaties included the ICCPR and the ICESCR in further laying out those principles as it regards civil rights, labor rights, education, and welfare. Despite these efforts, many people in different parts of the world are still struggling to save their lives, several are struggling to eradicate hunger and this is not done yet. The current ongoing crisis in the Ukraine-Russia war sums it all up as to what is the present situation of Human rights in the world.

Today, human rights face complex challenges that need immediate attention. Introduction of digital technology in the society has changed the social dynamics and posed issues of privacy, surveillance, and distribution of technological benefits. Governments and corporations collect massive amounts of personal data without the consent of the users, and the data is then transferred to different companies that raise concerns for individual autonomy and security. The growing use of such surveillance technologies is proving to be a destructive force as it is used as weapons against political dissidence which further questions the nation's integrity. The use of Artificial Intelligence in the current world is a two-sided sword which is benefiting some counties but also making it difficult to handle because AI in today's time is being used to make deep fakes, alter human data, it is being used in legal systems to determine the criminals, example being United States of America. The usage of AI for criminal detection shows inequality as it is totally based on algorithms which are biased. Although these tools have turned to be essential for education, employment, and civic engagement, millions still remain out in the cold, particularly in developing countries. Furthermore, the introduction of new online avenues gave way to multiple forms of abuse, such as online harassment, misinformation campaigns, and hate speech, that are all mostly targeted at women, minorities, and marginalized communities.

Climate change and environmental degradation represent the next big problem in the advocacy of human rights. Vulnerable populations are the hardest hit, including low-income communities, indigenous peoples, and island residents. Sea-level is rising, extreme weather events, and resource shortages threaten people's livelihoods, health, and security, while sharpening social inequalities. Although the right to a healthy environment is becoming increasingly recognized, many legal systems do not recognize it. This lack of formal recognition slows down global attempts to combat environmental catastrophes and protect communities from the consequent fallout. Again, we can establish a relation of environment protection with use of technology as satellite's are being used in forests, to detect the illegal cutting of trees and timbre which depletes the environment making it difficult for survival of humans as it affects climate change, land conflicts and violence.

Another major issue in today's time is Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery. Workers are being exploited to work in extreme harsh conditions with little or no pay. Workers in these sectors often lack job security, social benefits, and fair wages, which leave them economically poor. These industries include agriculture, construction, domestic work, and manufacturing. Many workers are trapped in debt, which leaves no option for them than to exploit themselves and earn whatever the industry pays. Well, it's not only about men it's also about women who work in domestic environment or garment industries and many of them face sexual harassment, unequal pay, and unsafe working conditions. Child labor is a serious issue which needs more attention, children are used for illegal activities, work in tedious environments, such as coal mines, construction etc. 

The refugee and migrant crisis highlight the lack of human rights frameworks. Conflict, economic disparities, and climate-related factors have brought about large-scale forced mass displacements. Many refugees and migrants face adverse situations with discrimination, inadequate housing conditions, limited access to education and healthcare, and physical threats. Such protection is guaranteed by international instruments like the 1951 Refugee Convention, yet successful fulfillment is nearly impossible to achieve.

Gender inequality and discrimination against LGBTQ is yet another big issue that needs to be addressed. Women continue to face discrimination in areas of education, economic opportunities, and political participation, which creates barriers for women which are already prone to violence and exploitation. In a similar vein, LGBTQ individuals face stigma and criminalization, which prevent access to medical care. In some regions, these challenges are offensive by laws that notoriously and explicitly deny certain basic rights and give rise to a vicious cycle of exclusion and marginalization. Economic inequality is another persistent challenge. The nature of globalization, in and of itself, lays the grounds even more open for exploitative practices: child labor, wage theft, and unsafe working conditions. Workers of the informal economy and gig sectors are left without protection against illegal employment practices that have no possibilities of any benefits or job security. To top it off, the scenarios of automation and artificial intelligence breaks the traditional livelihoods even more.

Despite remarkable advancements made in human rights, several critical research gaps still persist. One of these gaps is in the polarization of intersectionality, the way crossing identities, such as race, gender, and class, work towards creating discrimination experiences. Most of the existing studies explore human rights issues in isolation, blind to these inter-linkage mechanisms. Deeper reflections on these intersectionality aspects could lead to better policy making solutions, and a much more inclusive approach in maintaining them. Moreover, another not less analyzed area is the effect of emerging technologies on human rights. Emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and others in the socio-technical spectrum will render issues of privacy, equity, accountability, and reactive. The legal and ethical parameters seem to cope poorly with these concise evolutions to give birth to regulatory voids in which abuse tops quietly. Recognition and operationalization also need to be further studied. In just a few countries, the right to a clean and healthy environment is promoted within the constitutional framework; the existence of such a right, however, is not always reflected yet in systematic implementation. Strategies should be proposed for anchoring in concrete terms. The purpose should be ensuring a clean and healthy environment within the present institutional and legal framework, preventing a cliché of discourses, again, introducing various means of operationalization and enforcement would help.

Apart from this, the endurance of international human rights mechanisms should also be put under rigorous scrutiny. Some human rights mechanisms such as the UN Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court play key roles, many times limited, but roles concerning the previous issues yet are beset with difficulties arising from political constraints and lack of resources. Way proposals on the enhancement of the authority of those mechanisms by proxy may reinforce the general protection of human rights. Cultural relativism vs. Universalism, forms yet another controversial area. The difficulty of supporting the variety of cultural practices against the preservation of basic rights is daunting in the fullest sense. Studies help to join the bridge by suggesting the right advocacy strategies that are context-sensitive could lead to a greater synergy in global cooperation and understanding.

An extensive and futuristic approach is required to redress the impediments and what is found lacking. Strengthening of the legal frameworks at both the national and the international levels serves as a most relevant and important step. Laws with respect to digital rights, the rule of law in environmental protections, and anti-discrimination can be drafted. The mechanism of rigid enforcement of these initiatives must also be undertaken. For example, binding international conventions upon issues like climate change and data privacy are equally crucial in the search for accountability. Intersectionality should come to be a foundation for human rights discourse. Recognizing and addressing the intersectional basis of discrimination provides larger and more effective solutions. Academia, civil society organizations, and policymakers need to work together to amplify the voices of marginalized groups and design policies that meet their needs. Education and the role of awareness both are the key points to create a culture of respect and accountability. There should be human rights education imparted in the school curriculum to empower young people into being advocates of people. Outreach programs in local communities can also aid in increasing awareness, especially amongst underrepresented and vulnerable populations. Technology is a dangerous weapon but remains a great tool for the advancement of human rights. For instance, block chain technologies encourage transparency in the chain of supplies, which in turn weakens and reduces exploitation. The insight provided by AI may help in monitoring violations, analyzing ongoing trends, and predicting risks. However, the deployment of those technologies ought to be underscored by strong ethical policies that avert abuse. Strong legal policies should be implemented to control AIs misuse in degrading human rights. Many countries can take ideas from the EU Artificial Intelligence act, or even adopt those acts which are mentioned in the EU Artificial Intelligence act 2024 which is the first comprehensive legal framework on AI worldwide. It applies to all 27 EU member states. Strong global cooperation is of the utmost necessity in addressing global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and forced displacement. In this regard, developing international institutions and building multi stakeholder partnerships involving governments, non-governmental organizations, and private sector actors will still matter. Innovation and optimization-based solutions are best achieved through combined efforts that leverage resources and knowledge. 

Human rights represent both the highest aspirations of humankind and the measure of our progress as a society. In a world that is changing too fast, with widening inequalities, the demand for protection of these rights has rarely been more urgent. By eliminating research gaps, recognizing intersectionality, and true global solidarity, the future world should be one where dignity, equality, and justice are not merely ideals but issues lived every day. The journey toward universal human rights continues; it needs unrelenting determination, innovation, and cooperation. In this process, no effort is too small, and no voice is too small, because it is the duty of everyone to seek justice.

Reference:

[1]History of the Declaration, U. N., https://www.un.org/en/about-us/udhr/history-of-the-declaration.