International Human Rights Day at AMU

Aligarh : Faculty members and students of the Department of Political Science, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) raised awareness about the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being in an online symposium to commemorate ‘International Human Rights Day’, the day when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations in 1948.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Human Rights in the Age of Globalization’, Prof Iqbalur-Rehman (Chairman, Department of Political Science) stressed, “Communities struggle to obtain justice for violations against economic, social and cultural rights. International multinational companies need to be upright in human rights and efforts should be made for the empowerment of people working in a climate of free-market economies”.

Prof Rachna Kaushal deliberated the circumstances in which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights evolved and highlighted consequences of the cold war politics on global human rights discourse.

She also spoke on the role played by Hansa Jivaji Mehta, member of United Nation Commission for Human Rights in advocating gender neutral language of UDHR draft.

Prof Mohibul Haq underlined how globalisation has led to universalisation of capitalism and liberalism and how it is in direct conflict with the theme of UDHR.

He further compared globalisation with Neoliberalism and the ganging up of powerful countries against the poor nations.

Universalization of human rights is the need of the hour, stressed Prof Haq.

Dr Naghma Farooqui explained the creation of a divisive world post-globalisation, despite the positive aspects.

“There are deep concerns of globalisation, adversely affecting localised economies and creating socio- economic problems,” she said.

Research scholar, Zaid Mustafa Alvi and BA student, Ameera Vaqar spoke on the implementation of human rights and aspirations of youth.

Prof Iqbalur-Rehman extended the vote of thanks.