Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Dept of Political Science observes Human Rights Day

Aligarh: A symposium on ‘Universalising Human Rights and UDHR: Challenges and Prospects’ took place at the Department of Political Science, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) to observe the ‘International Human Rights Day’ in which experts discussed human rights standards to tackle entrenched, systematic, and intergenerational inequalities, exclusion and discrimination.

Speaking on the significance of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Prof Nigar Zuberi (Chairperson) said that UDHR recognises ‘the inherent dignity of all members of the human family and is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world’.

“UDHR declares that human rights are universal-to be enjoyed by all people, no matter who they are or where they live. It is rightly called the Magna-Carta of mankind,” she added.

Prof Nigar emphasised that observance of the Human Rights Day plays an important role in sensitising people about human rights.

In the inaugural address, Prof Aftab Alam spoke on the rights of vulnerable groups and emphasised that human rights discourse not only gives importance to the principle of non-discrimination and equality, but also takes care of the rights of socially excluded groups.

“The contemporary dialogues and discourse on human rights recognise the fact that human beings are rationale creatures and should be given freedom and rights to develop their personalities to full extent,” said Prof Mohibul Haque, while speaking on challenges and prospects and rights violation across the globe.

In the concluding remarks, Prof Asmer Beg stressed on the emerging paradigm of human rights.

“There is a need to strike a balance between rights and duties and the states must ensure the full realisation of human rights,” he added.

Prof Asmer also answered queries of the participants.

Prof Iqbalur Rahman extended the vote of thanks