Building Our Human Rights Legacy While We Can

Over the course of my studies and now, time in the United States, I have noticed the high regard South Africa is held internationally, in particular in the arena of human rights. I have also noticed how often the argument that “our” human rights values are in conflict with the “traditions” of other states is used as an excuse not to pursue a universal human rights agenda.

The idea that basic human rights norms, such as the rights of women, children, or the LGBT community, are inherently Western norms is not only repugnant but wholly inaccurate. Even in the industrialized West, certain fundamental rights were only accorded relatively recently (such as racial equality and universal suffrage) while the so-called developing nations were streets ahead in certain areas. The notion, espoused by some academics and politicians, that “our” (be it America’s, or South Africa’s) values may not apply to other countries and cultures forgets that many of the human rights violations that take place in these countries were introduced by the West in the first place.

I am not for one minute saying that we should impose our governmental practices, our culture, and most values, upon countries under the guise of human rights with no respect for tradition. There are sensitive matters that will always complicate the application of human rights norms in one country while the context may be more favourable for human rights in another. All too often, human rights norms are wielded like a weapon against developing nations, with the arrogance that “we” have all the answers. The pursuit of a universal human rights agenda should be done with humility, acknowledging that whatever country one is from, there are human rights challenges we are all facing domestically. For this reason, it is important that we as individuals embody and promote human rights values wherever we are, because as individuals we do not have any realist government agenda in attempting to change societies, including our own. Let us make a strong South African example of human rights.

South Africa is still held in high regard in this area, with a fantastic constitution and still basking in the reflected light of 1994 and President Mandela. However that light may be dimming. Ultimately, it’s not just our South Africa that’s at stake here, but the continued spread of human rights norms across the world may be influenced by our ability to be a leader in this area. And as I have always believed, leadership starts at the back, on the ground. Let us each be leaders in human rights in our own country, and be the example to hold up to the rest of the world. An African example which they are encouraged to follow.