Careers related to Human Rights

Ranjan K Baruah

Every human being has the right to live and freedom means all of us have human rights. Let us learn that human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. These rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more.  All of us must be entitled to these rights without any discrimination.

10^th December 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. This is an opportunity for us to reach out to more people and spread awareness and take necessary action to ensure human rights around the world. 10th December is also observed as Human Rights Day around the world.

We should be aware that the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 and sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and the document is available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world.

In the decades since the adoption of the UDHR in 1948, human rights have become more recognised and more guaranteed across the globe. The UDHR has since served as the foundation for an expanding system of human rights protection that today focuses also on vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and migrants.

Ensuring education to each and every child is also human rights as we think of human rights where there is a conflict or violence. Ensuring decent jobs or livelihoods and ensuring a barrier free environment are also human rights. We can choose human rights as our career and ensure rights to many and bring positive changes in our society.

There are courses related to human rights which includes post graduate courses, diplomas , advance diplomas , etc . One may choose to study law and later do specializations related to different human rights and contribute for a sustainable future.  Both online and offline courses are available related to human rights.

Some of the courses are Certificate course in Human Rights, International Certificate course in Protecting Children in Humanitarian Settings, International Women’s Health and Human Rights, Human Rights: The Rights of Refugees, Human Rights for Open Societies ,  Climate Change and Human Rights ,International Human Right Law, etc.

Job profiles include Human Rights Activist, Human Rights Campaigner, Human Right Teacher, Human Right Defender, etc. The jobs are very challenging and one must be passionate and also have patience to work in this area. When there are issues of human rights violations means law is involved and one must be aware of the commitment needed to be a successful human rights campaigner or defender.

There are global organizations that recruit people having expertise in the field of human rights. There is State Human Right Commission apart from National Human Rights Commission which engages people who are experts of having expertise in the field of human rights. The United Nations and its different agencies also engage people who are experts in human rights issues.

Scholarship Update: The Reliance Foundation will select up to 100 students in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Computer Sciences, Mathematics & Computing, Electrical and/or Electronics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Renewable and New Energy, Material Sciences and Engineering, and Life Sciences on the basis of merit through a rigorous selection process. Aspirants may apply before 17^th December.