"The Struggle for Human Rights:
A Call to Hold Accountability and Defend Justice"
A Call to Hold Accountability and Defend Justice"
In recent months, protests across the country have painted a clear picture of a nation deeply divided over its future and the state of its human rights. Demonstrators, voicing their anger over widespread social and political injustices, have been met with increasing violence and repression. The protests, driven by a call for justice, equality, and lasting peace, are now overshadowed by the very forces that should protect the rights of the people. Arrests, harassment, and even extrajudicial killings have become the price of dissent in a country that, ironically, prides itself on its commitment to human rights. And yet, despite these attempts to silence the cry for justice, the struggle persists, reverberating across communities, echoing the enduring demand for respect and dignity for all.
Human rights, in their most fundamental sense, are universal. They are not defined by nationality, ethnicity, or political belief—they are inherent to every individual by virtue of being human. The universal nature of these rights creates a collective responsibility to ensure they are protected. Human rights are not simply an abstract set of ideals, but a fundamental framework that upholds the dignity of every person, regardless of their station in life. It is a duty, not just of the government but of all citizens, to safeguard these rights, to stand against any attempt to trample upon them. When this responsibility is neglected, or worse, when it is actively undermined, it is the duty of the people to resist, to demand justice, and to hold those in power accountable for their actions.
However, this struggle is met with fierce opposition from those who seek to distort the very concept of human rights. For some, the idea of human rights is merely a rhetorical tool, to be wielded selectively when it suits their political agenda. For others, it is an inconvenience, an obstacle to be dismissed in favor of their distorted interpretation of “rule of law.” These individuals often justify human rights violations by claiming they are “necessary to restore order,” an argument that serves to conceal the darker truth: that these actions are not about maintaining peace but about preserving power. The narrative of "restoring order" has been used time and time again to rationalize violent repression, as if sacrificing the rights of a few is a small price to pay for the “greater good.” But this argument falls apart when one realizes that the so-called “order” they are seeking is one built on fear, oppression, and the suppression of dissent. True order and peace can never come at the cost of human dignity.
Human rights are not limited to civil and political rights. They also encompass economic, social, and cultural rights—areas that are often overlooked or downplayed in mainstream discussions about human rights. The right to education, the right to health, the right to an adequate standard of living, the right to social security, and the right to participate fully in cultural life are all integral parts of the human rights framework. These rights are vital for the well-being and freedom of all people, yet they remain under constant threat. The erosion of these rights, particularly in marginalized communities, demonstrates how deeply ingrained inequality and injustice can lead to the continued violation of human dignity.
The news of human rights violations, whether in the form of arbitrary arrests, torture, or political killings, serves as a stark reminder that the promises of human rights are not being fulfilled. A country that claims to value justice and democracy must first address the glaring violations taking place within its borders. The hypocrisy of a government that champions human rights while overseeing widespread abuses cannot be ignored. The issue at hand is not just about the violent suppression of protests or dissent; it is about a systematic campaign to silence the voices of the people.
Perhaps the most damning example of this hypocrisy is the government's failure to address the widespread extrajudicial killings that have marred its recent history. These killings were not simply collateral damage in a war on drugs—they were, and continue to be, a direct assault on those who dare to challenge the existing power structures. These killings are directed not only at alleged criminals but at the very people’s movement, at those who are fighting for national and social liberation. It is a campaign aimed at silencing those who demand justice, equity, and accountability.
There is substantial and compelling evidence that these extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, civilian massacres, and indiscriminate bombings are not isolated incidents. These are the result of deliberate state-sanctioned actions that violate international humanitarian law. Reports from human rights organizations, both local and international, have documented these abuses in excruciating detail. And yet, despite the overwhelming evidence, those in power have turned a blind eye, dismissing these violations as collateral damage in their fight against terrorism or internal insurgency.
But the question must be asked: Can any government that claims to value human rights ignore such widespread abuses? Can the international community stand idly by while these violations continue unabated? The answer, of course, is no. The time has come for those in power to be held accountable for their actions. The time has come for the people to demand justice—not just for the victims of the drug war but for all those whose rights have been violated in the name of security or political expediency.
It is time for the government to stop downplaying these atrocities, to stop justifying the violence against its own citizens under the guise of “national security.” The country must ask itself: Can true peace be achieved through violence? Can justice be served by ignoring the suffering of those who have been brutalized in the name of order? The answer is clear: peace cannot be achieved through oppression, and justice cannot be served by denying the basic rights of the people.
The struggle for human rights is not just about defending the rights of a few—it is about upholding the dignity of every person, regardless of their social or political status. It is about ensuring that no one is above the law, and that every individual is entitled to the protections guaranteed by the law. It is about creating a society where the rights of the most vulnerable are not trampled upon in the name of security, and where those who wield power are held accountable for their actions.
As the fight for human rights continues, the voices of the oppressed will not be silenced. The struggle for justice is not over—it is ongoing. The question remains: will those in power choose to listen, to acknowledge the pain and suffering of the people, and to take meaningful action to uphold the rights of all? Or will they continue to turn a blind eye, allowing the cycle of abuse and repression to continue unchecked? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the people will not give up their fight for justice, and they will not allow their voices to be silenced.