Human rights did not exist in the past. People of the ancient times lived like animals. They did not have any concept, of human rights. ‘’Might is right’’ was the law of the world. The strong ruled the weak. The weak was destined to lead a life of misery. His sense of respect and dignity was destroyed by the strong and the rich. As human society developed, the concept of human rights also developed. The first code of human rights was created by the king of Ur in 2005 B.C. King Asoka in 265 B.C issued a document which contained certain human rights. It was with the spread of education that the concept of human rights matured.
It was our religion which highlighted the importance of human rights for every one.
- It gave equal rights of human dignity and respect to all people irrespective of their color, caste and creed. Islam bestows equal rights in the field of politics, culture, religion and economic to the master and the slave.
- It preached non violence and peace.It gave the right of the security of life to everyone.
- It conferred right of protection of honour and dignity to everyone.
- It gave right of political and economic freedom to everyone. It gave freedom of expression to every individual of the state.
- It guaranteed social justice and equal opportunity of growth and development to every individual.
- Islam gave equal rights to women along with men in every field of life.
There are only a few countries which follow and practice human rights. Take the example of big democratic countries. America, Britain and India are said to be the greatest democratic countries. But unfortunately they violate human rights grossly. America, the big super power has always resorted to the use of force on weak and poor countries. Afghanistan is populated by poor people. America has bombed it mercilessly and killed millions of innocent men, women and children. It has caused massive disaster in Iraq. It kidnaps and imprisons the innocent Muslim men and women without any of their fault. In this way, it violates the right of human freedom and human dignity.
Israel with its heavy collection of sophisticated weapons attacks and assaults the Muslims of Palestine after every week. India too does not lag behind. It has committed untold atrocities on the Kashmiries. The world though educated and enlightened still follows the law of jungle. ‘Might is right’ is still loved and worshipped.
In Pakistan the condition of following human rights is not satisfactory. People belonging to opposite political opinions are arrested, kidnapped and escorted to persons.
The courts are weak to guarantee human and political freedom to people. The strong and the rich usurp the property of the weak and lead a life of luxury. The four provinces of Pakistan always cry for just and fair distribution of water and energy sources. The people of Pakistan are discriminated on the grounds of caste, creed and religious kinship. They do not enjoy the right of equal and just opportunity of getting jobs.
However, there are certain fields where Pakistan has no doubt conferred equal rights to individuals. The minorities are equal citizens and enjoy all basic rights. They have the right to live according to their religion. They can maintain and manage their religious institutions. They have equal opportunities for job and getting education.
The practice and following of human rights is must in every civilized society. Man is born free. No one has the right to deprive him of the basic necessities of life. No government can be given the right to injure self respect and dignity of man. In democracy, human rights are the assets of every individual. Unfortunately, the law of jungle is still practised by all the countries of the world, whether there exists democracy or dictatorship in them.
