What's going on in Human Rights: December 2023

This term has been amazing! It's been really lovely to see lots of new faces at our events. We're really proud to say that we've raised more than £590 for Medical Aid for Palestinians. We hope that everyone has a lovely winter break and get as much rest as they get work done.

As the year draws to a close it is interesting to think about what 2023 marks. This year is the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This declaration stemmed from the aftermath of the Second World War. After the war ended people looked in shock and horror at the atrocities that had been committed and wanted assurances that these would not be repeated. The UDHR promised a framework for justice where everyone was recognised as innately possessing 'equal and inalienable rights.'

It is important to recognise the context of the UDHR, it was composed by a minority of countries many of which were practising colonialism at the time of writing. However, smaller nations worked to ensure that the final text specified that these rights were to be bestowed without 'distinction', with the Egyptian delegate confirming the 'universality' of the rights in question. This meant that the UDHR could actually be used in aid of anti-colonial projects.

However, as we look across the world today, I am not confident we see the majority feeling the benefit of these inalienable rights. The many being displaced by the climate crisis do not feel the benefit of their right to home free from interference. Those losing their lives in conflicts where international law is not being observed, are not being treated as though they were born free and equal.

One place where human rights are being undermined is the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Our campaign this year is environmental justice, and the DRC is an example of a place where both the environment and the people are being harmed by human actions. In this case, this is industrial scale cobalt and copper mining. The DRC has the world's largest cobalt reserve.

Some communities have been expelled from their homes in order to facilitate mining projects. Whilst Amnesty International understands the necessity of rechargeable batteries to the transition from fossil fuels, they cannot condone the abusive practises currently in place to obtain the necessary minerals. Environmental justice demands solutions that don't just alleviate environmental harm but also protect human rights. The forced evictions must end. Sign the petition here to help end these abusive practises.

Another action worth considering is that many young people are quitting vaping because of their newfound awareness of where the battery comes from in their vape pens. Lessening our consumption of products that contain cobalt, especially when we don't know how it is sourced, could have an impact on the lives of those living in the DRC. We encourage you to consider taking similar action.