WSF delegates press for human rights

Delegates also criticised the inability of the governments across the globe to implement human rights, writes Purwa Khandelwal.

After Thursday's discussions on the 'unfair' occupation of Iraq by the US forces at the World Social Forum 2004 in Mumbai, on Friday, the delegates took up the crucial issue of human rights and the inability of the governments across the globe to implement them.

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Speaking at a seminar former Irish President and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson said that while many countries have given legal recognition to human rights, the fact that millions of people are still unaware points towards the gross failure of governance.

"Six million children die of hunger every year while more than 120 million, mostly girls, have no access to schools," she pointed out.

Sharing her experience at recently held World Trade Organisation meet at Cancun, she termed the international trading system 'unfair'.

"It does not reflect the views of majority," Robinson said.

However, she said that though she does not believe in abolishing institutions, there is a real need for reform. "There should be legal commitment to implement human rights," she added.

"It is a struggle for decent work. We all need a work and a decent work for everybody," he said.

Emphasising on local needs, Somavia said, "Local space is the essential space. It is the local space you build societies. Without strong local realities, we are not going to move forward."

Criticising the present economic structure, he argued for 'an economic model of globalisation that puts market values over human values and economic rights over human rights'.

"The rules of the trade and finance are blatantly unfair to the developing world and they should change," he said while asserting that accountability needs to be created.

He also expressed confidence that a change would take place. "Change will happen whether sooner or later. Depends on how we want we organise."