Irrespective of the complex reasons (and even justifications) for armed conflict and war, the result is always a tragic loss of and threat to human life (and human dignity) along with other unspeakable horrors. I am war weary; exhausted by waves of tragedy and the resultant helplessness that ensues. The War in Ukraine is the latest in a long list of wars and conflicts that may have even lost their empathy and ‘outrage’ currency. Afterall, there is so much happening, in a world with an increasingly short attention span. The Others
Civil war broke out (again) in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. The war in Yemen. In the Lake Chad Basin Region of Africa, Boko Haram insurgency. Afghanis reeling from decades of occupation by the United States and others and facing more uncertainties under a Taliban regime. Iraqis, rebuilding after military invasions and campaigns that turned that country into rubble. The Darfur region of Sudan is all War-ed out. In Libya, the NATO-led invasion of 2011 extended instability to the whole of the Sahel region of Africa. Syrian refugees, fleeing war, as well as others from various African countries seeking refuge, continue to knock at Europe’s gates for refuge. The list goes on. What shall we make of human rights in a time of War? Respect for the Sanctity and Dignity of Human Life forms the bedrock of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These sacred principles were meant to safeguard humanity from the horrors of war: Never Again.
War and Human Rights are intimately related. At its ideal, respect for human rights demonstrate humanity at its best. On the opposite end of that spectrum, humanity at its worst. War. Human rights are the threads that bind us across and beyond borders, difference, and geographies. War threatens these connections to our collective humanity. To the extent that people in the different parts of the world have experienced war at one point or the other, a human rights consciousness has always been necessary in galvanising solidarity, even as a scarce commodity for victims of war.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine presents an opportunity to remind each other of our collective humanity, Ubuntu, irrespective of the selective application of human rights standards. Discriminatory practices on basis of race, in assisting victims fleeing Ukraine, itself violates human rights principles. In fact, it has been quite heartbreaking seeing fellow Africans and black people being discriminated against at a time when solidarity for all people should have been at the highest.
In standing with victims of the war in Ukraine, Syria, The Lake Chad Basin Region, Tigray and everywhere else, we affirm our own humanity. Such solidarity knows no colour, creed or bounds. Solidarity with others is the hope and promise of human rights. A hope for a future of flourishing and cultures of peace for the victims of bombs and devastation, no matter from whence they fall. We have a positive duty to bear witness, to compel our governments to help end wars (and not start others), but more importantly, to accord to those suffering; “everyone…without distinction of any kind […]” their due as humans. A Human Rights consciousness is an Ubuntu consciousness. An audacious expression of hope in the face of so much tragedy and pain. We must not lose hope.