DeepSummary
The episode begins with a discussion between the host Akwe Amosu and Chris Stone about the relevance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on its 72nd anniversary. They debate whether the declaration still holds significance or if its relevance has diminished due to states failing to uphold its principles.
The main segment features an interview with Shaharzad Akbar, chair of Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission. She discusses the progress made in securing rights for Afghan citizens over the past 20 years, such as establishing a legal framework and increasing awareness. However, she highlights the ongoing challenges of conflict, corruption, and impunity that prevent equal access to justice.
In the 'Coda' segment, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein shares a poem by 14th-century poet Hafez, which warns against arrogance and self-righteousness when advocating for human rights. He emphasizes the need for humility and supporting those who courageously fight for their rights.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights faces diminishing relevance and effectiveness due to states failing to uphold its principles.
- Afghanistan has made progress in establishing a legal framework and increasing awareness of human rights, but access to justice remains a challenge due to conflict, corruption, and impunity.
- The language of human rights may be seen as a foreign import in Afghanistan, but the concepts and expectations of rights have taken root in Afghan society.
- The potential political settlement with the Taliban raises concerns about the future of human rights in Afghanistan, as the Taliban's understanding of rights differs significantly from the current framework.
- Advocating for human rights requires humility and support for those courageously fighting for their rights, rather than arrogance or self-righteousness.
- Shaharzad Akbar, the chair of Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission, demonstrates resilience and determination in her work despite personal sacrifices and challenges.
- The episode highlights the importance of documenting and advocating for human rights violations, even in contexts where delivering justice is difficult.
- Access to rights and public services in Afghanistan varies widely depending on factors such as conflict exposure, gender, and location within the country.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Well, I think the international institutions, in some ways, have exhausted their commitment to human rights, and the states that stand behind them are not standing tall. So at least I find the declaration itself may well be at the end of its useful life.“ by Chris Stone
- “But if the peace process goes to that direction where we do have dramatic changes to our legal system or we have a shrinkage of space for civil society and human rights activism, I think Afghanistan has changed to the extent that there will be a very strong pushback.“ by Shaharzad Akbar
- “Those who are defending their rights, those who are fighting the good cause every day they have to be supported. And no one is in a position to judge whether they are speaking strongly or not strong enough because they are fighting for their livelihoods and they are fighting for their people.“ by Zayd Raad al Hussein
- “I think sometimes focusing on the institution helps me on my colleagues just trying to make the work environment a bit better, trying to strengthen the institution, trying to improve our documentation efforts so for people in the future, they know what we did and what happened in this country, taking public stances, our public advocacy, that gives me hope, because I feel like people feel their pain is not ignored, that there's someone listening and documenting and speaking out for them.“ by Shaharzad Akbar
- “The other scenario is that we reach a political settlement, and any political settlement, even in the most ideal version, I think there will be, if not a change, a dramatic change in laws. There will be a shrinking of space when it comes to human rights, because Taliban's understanding of human rights is very, very different.“ by Shaharzad Akbar
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Episode Information
Strength & Solidarity
Strength & Solidarity
1/11/21
Afghanistan’s Human Rights Commission chair Shaharzad Akbar talks about the challenge of entrenching and enforcing rights amid continuing conflict and violence against civilians. With a state that struggles to deliver public services and great uncertainty about the future of President Ashraf Ghani’s negotiations with the Taliban, how can Afghan citizens have confidence that the human rights framework give them meaningful protection?
In this episode:
- Host Akwe Amosu and her colleague Chris Stone discuss the relevance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in today’s rights struggles
- Interview with Shaharzad Akbar, Chairperson of Afghanistan’s Independent Human Rights Commission
- The Coda: Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, shares a poem by 14th century poet Hafez on the perils of arrogance.
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