The most infringed human rights in 2024 and potential solutions | Experts’ Opinions

Human rights are not tangible and cannot be bought or sold, yet everyone can feel their presence or be aware of infringements. International Human Rights Day, celebrated every year on December 10th, is a reminder of the importance of respecting, promoting, and defending human rights across the globe. Unfortunately, in 2024, many countries still face significant challenges in protecting their citizens’ rights. The biggest issues are related to freedom of expression, gender equality, the marginalization of minority groups, the right to peaceful association, and the right to an equitable judicial process and trial. What actions need to be taken and by whom to address and eradicate human rights infringements? In our latest Experts’ Opinions, we urged international development experts to share their insights on this matter. We invite readers to reflect on the importance of human rights for the development of a healthy society.

DevelopmentAid: In your opinion, how do you characterize the current state of human rights, and which rights do you think have been the most infringed in 2024?

“The current global state of human rights reflects a troubling duality: while some advances have been achieved, severe infringements still persist worldwide. Progress in gender equality, environmental justice, and LGBTQ+ rights has been noted, such as Japan’s anti-discrimination law for LGBTQ+ individuals and Brazil’s upholding of indigenous land rights. Nevertheless, many countries continue to face systemic issues that impinge upon basic freedoms and rights. Freedom of expression and press freedom are those under the most intense threat, with governments using digital tools to suppress dissent. Laws like Thailand’s lèse-majesté and Russia’s foreign agent law exemplify how state policies restrict open discourse. At the same time, privacy rights face unprecedented erosion, with surveillance technologies increasingly encroaching on personal freedoms. The advent of artificial intelligence has exacerbated these issues, giving states more tools to monitor and control citizens. Environmental rights are also at high risk, with climate change disproportionately impacting marginalized communities who often lack access to clean air and water. Additionally, economic crises and growing inequalities limit access to essential services like healthcare, housing, and education. The rights of women have faced harsh backlashes, with repressive measures in places like Afghanistan where being a woman has been de facto criminalized and Iran has notoriously taken numerous measures to suppress women’s fundamental rights. Globally, a rise in authoritarianism and challenges to democratic principles exacerbate these issues, with political repression growing and human rights defenders being increasingly targeted.”

“In 2024 we have witnessed a pattern of state and non-state actors acting with blatant and systematic disregard for International Humanitarian Law and the International Law of Human Rights, with civilian populations facing the brunt of this, and the scale of human suffering trending in the wrong direction. Multiple wars, extreme inequality, a looming climate collapse, and new technologies capable of transforming our very existence have brought humanity to a crossroads. Inaction and inadequate efforts to address these threats have left us in a world of turmoil. Its tensions and uncertainties are generating widespread anxiety, leaving people angrier, more disillusioned, and more divided. It shows that leaders remain effectively unable or unwilling to respond to the catastrophic plight of the millions impacted by the conflicts in Gaza, Myanmar, Sudan, and Ukraine. Having in mind the cruelty of war, which has marked 2024, the most infringed human rights are the right to life, freedom from torture and other cruel and inhuman treatment, the rights to be healthy, access education, and have an adequate standard of living and the right to peace, including the rights guaranteed by the Geneva Conventions.”

DevelopmentAid: How do ongoing conflicts and crises around the world affect the protection and promotion of human rights, particularly for vulnerable populations?

“The ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, Ethiopia, and the Sahel have engendered widespread suffering, aggravated by selective and inconsistent international responses. Such selective outrage erodes the perception of human rights as a universal framework, diminishing the legitimacy of international laws that are intended to safeguard dignity and justice. Despite Sudan currently experiencing the world’s most severe hunger and displacement crisis, it is being treated as a peripheral concern. The United Nations Security Council’s decision to withdraw its mission at the Sudanese government’s behest has eliminated a critical mechanism for civilian protection and oversight. This selective moral calculus conveys the message that the rights and dignity of certain populations are more valued than others, subverting the foundational principles of international human rights. Autocratic tendencies are also surging globally; India’s democracy faces a perilous regression under Prime Minister Modi, while leaders in Tunisia, El Salvador, and Bangladesh have used security concerns and political crises to suppress opposition and consolidate power. Furthermore, the climate crisis and the ensuing decarbonization of the global economy threaten to exacerbate displacement, and result in resource scarcity, and refugee crises, placing already marginalized groups in an even more precarious position.”

“The current conflicts and crises around the world have the greatest impact on the most vulnerable categories of the population. We have witnessed that killings and injuries of civilians have become a daily occurrence together with the destruction of vital infrastructure. Furthermore, we can witness the worrying trends of targeting civilians on the basis of their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, gender, and other identity factors. Children shot at, and hospitals bombed. Heavy artillery launched on entire communities, all along with hateful, divisive, and dehumanizing rhetoric. Warring parties have pushed beyond the boundaries of what is acceptable – and legal – on many fronts, with utter contempt for the other, trampling human rights at their core. In conflict areas children, women, and people with disabilities, including the elderly, are the most exposed to human rights violations, having in mind humanitarian crises and forced displacements. Also, residents, many of them elderly, hid in basements, without electricity, water, or adequate food. The far-reaching impact of war and conflict on the environment is also undeniable. The burning of land, chemical contamination of air, water and soil, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, even the risk of nuclear catastrophe. This comes on top of some of the biggest challenges humanity faces today — climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Like most crises, the climate emergency disproportionately affects the world’s poor and most marginalized. Countries and communities who have contributed the least to the changing climate, suffer its effects the most – notably in small island developing states, least developed countries, and landlocked developing countries.”

DevelopmentAid: With the rise of technology and social media, how are digital rights being defined and protected, and what challenges do they face in the current landscape?

“As technology and social media evolve rapidly, digital rights have emerged as essential components of modern civil liberties, encompassing privacy, equal access, and digital security. Yet, these rights face escalating challenges. Surveillance technologies are increasingly used by governments to monitor and silence critics, often prioritising national security over individual privacy. At the core of digital rights lies the principle of digital self-determination, namely the right to control one’s data, access secure online spaces, and exercise autonomy over personal information. However, the widespread use of artificial intelligence and invasive technologies, such as facial recognition and spyware, has intensified threats to these rights. Amnesty International has revealed instances of Pegasus spyware targeting journalists and activists across multiple countries, underscoring the urgent need for governments to enact stringent regulations that ban such invasive technologies. Digital rights are also critical to democratic processes, as digital platforms influence public opinion and electoral integrity. The EU has identified cyberattacks, disinformation, and the spread of online hate speech – disproportionately targeting women – as significant challenges in election contexts. In addition, there is a persistent disparity in access to digital resources, particularly among vulnerable demographic groups. The elderly, marginalized communities, and people with disabilities often lack digital skills or internet access, which can exclude them from vital services highlighting the importance of offline alternatives and inclusive digital policies to bridge this digital divide. In this complex landscape, protecting digital rights requires not only regulatory oversight of the major technological companies but also the enactment of robust legislation that prioritises privacy, equal access, and the ethical use of AI.”

See also: The impact of low cyber security on the development of poor nations | Experts’ Opinions

“In the context of the development of technology and social media, if these are used for appropriate purposes, human rights violations could be predicted and prevented by using new technologies. Numerous data from social media, news, articles, and documents can be analyzed by new technologies to spot suspected violations of human rights at the early stages. For example, algorithms can process and identify hate speech, social media content that contains blatant acts against humanity and protected rights, etc. Challenges range from the direction of rapid technological change, especially since laws can struggle to keep pace with innovations, leading to gaps in protection. Different countries have varying levels of regulation, creating challenges for users whose data crosses borders and tech giants may prioritize profit over users’ rights, complicating efforts to safeguard privacy and expression. In the end, balancing the fight against misinformation while ensuring freedom of speech is difficult.”

DevelopmentAid: How can countries improve their common efforts to protect human rights on a global scale?

“The safeguarding of human rights necessitates enhanced international cooperation and a commitment to the consistent, equitable application of international human rights standards. While states retain sovereignty over their domestic legislation, non-binding mechanisms, such as “naming and shaming” by international bodies like the UN, have demonstrated some efficacy. Empirical evidence indicates that approximately 18% of states modify their legislation in response to non-binding recommendations, underscoring the potential impact of diplomatic pressure despite the absence of formal enforcement powers. International treaties and agreements also serve as fundamental instruments. However, when states selectively apply these principles or prioritize transactional diplomacy for short-term gains, the universality and legitimacy of the human rights framework are undermined. To mitigate this, reforms within the UN are essential, particularly in curbing unchecked veto power among permanent members of the Security Council, which often obstructs coordinated action on pressing human rights issues. Moreover, strengthening the UN’s preventive and monitoring capabilities, including the Human Rights Council and the Special Procedures, is imperative. These bodies, although constrained by budget limitations, are instrumental in documenting human rights abuses, investigating violations, and preserving evidence of international crimes. The contributions of civil society organizations and grassroots movements are likewise invaluable. They not only amplify the voices of affected communities but also provide essential monitoring and advocacy that hold governments accountable. Through the combined efforts of international institutions, states, and civil society, the global community can reinforce the foundational principles of human rights, advancing a more consistent and inclusive approach to justice and equity worldwide.”

“On a global scale, we must find our way back to peace, in line with the UN Charter and international law. The best way to disrupt the actions that lead to the violation of human rights is to approach prevention and protection as part of a continuous, permanent process. This includes not only a response to imminent and emerging risks but also instituting policies, practices, and structures that build long-term societal resilience to crimes of atrocity. The early prevention of atrocities is not significantly distinct from practices that support good governance – ensuring respect for the rule of law, supporting a competent and independent judiciary, protecting human rights, enabling civil society and the media to operate without interference or fear of reprisals and creating a political culture that favors tolerance and diversity. These are the steps that governments can take to build the institutional architecture to prevent the drivers of atrocities from emerging. It includes continuous monitoring at the international level. On the other side, the adverse effects of climate change are already having massive impacts on human rights. Therefore, I believe that human rights analysis should be integrated into environmental assessments and modeling. In this way, we can anticipate the types of issues that will arise, inform decision-making, and minimize the worst impacts. The best tool to protect human rights is early warning and prevention. This means that the international community must take the drivers and root causes of tensions, violence, and conflict seriously. A human rights economy is a lever for social justice. It promotes equal opportunities, meaningful participation, and investment in essential services. It helps to forge trust in public institutions, fostering the social contract. Globally, the international community needs to bring its economic systems – from trade treaties to investment agreements, business regulation to development frameworks – in line with human rights, including the right to development. This also has consequences for the reform of international financial architecture. Secondly, the significant mobilization of people around the world demanding change to uphold human rights, equality, and justice – nationally, regionally, and globally. With a focus on the Pact for the Future, all states need to ensure that their common commitment to human rights is reflected powerfully and concretely. A strong and effective human rights system is key to effective multilateral cooperation, and to building a better future for people and the planet.”

See also: How can development aid help to improve human rights?

Respect for human rights is the foundation for equitable and sustainable development. Regardless of the sector, human rights experts are in high demand to advance democracy and economic prosperity across the globe. On the DevelopmentAid website, experts can find over 290 positions in this field. Additionally, there are over 9,000 experts with expertise in the same area registered on the platform. What makes the difference between them is that some are using the Individual Professional Membership which allows them to access all the available positions, search for tenders and grants for individuals, gain more exposure, and even reach out directly to over 300,000 organizations registered on the website. For more information, check all the available benefits here.