The Rights You Didn’t Know Were Being Denied

It started with a simple walk along the beach. The sound of crashing waves was accompanied by the sight of plastic waste scattered along the shoreline. Among the debris, I saw a woman meticulously sorting through it, her hands moving with a practiced rhythm. Curious, I approached her, and she introduced herself as Nimna, a fisherwoman from the nearby town- Dehiwala. Her voice carried a mix of pride and sorrow as she explained how her community’s traditional fishing practices were vanishing under the weight of industrial exploitation.

Nimna’s story is not unique. Across the globe, indigenous and minority communities fight to preserve their heritage, language, and traditions. These cultural rights are often ignored in favor of modernization, leaving people stripped of their identity. For example, the Maasai of East Africa face displacement due to land exploitation, threatening their centuries-old way of life.

During the pandemic, I saw firsthand how economic and social rights-like access to food, healthcare, and housing-became a luxury for many. A friend, a single father struggled to keep his family afloat as economic safety nets failed. These rights are fundamental, yet they often take a back seat in policy discussions.

Another friend, a bright and ambitious woman in a wheelchair, shared her frustrations about inaccessible public spaces and biased hiring practices. Her story highlighted how disability rights-centered on equality and accessibility-are sidelined, leaving millions excluded from opportunities many of us take for granted. 

The growing climate crisis brings another critical right to the forefront - the right to a clean and sustainable environment. Entire communities are being uprooted by rising sea levels, deforestation, and pollution. For Nimna, this is a daily reality as her town’s coastline erodes, threatening both their homes and livelihoods.

Globally, gender-based violence and unequal access to healthcare continue to violate women’s and LGBTQ+ individuals’ rights. In some countries, these challenges are compounded by restrictive laws that limit autonomy and safety. Human rights aren’t abstract concepts- they are deeply personal and affect every aspect of our lives. Advocating for them starts with education. Understanding the nuances of lesser-known rights allows us to speak up for those who cannot.

But awareness alone isn’t enough. Take action!

• Join local initiatives that address these overlooked issues, from environmental conservation to disability advocacy.
• Share stories, start conversations, and use social media to hear marginalized voices.
• Lobby for laws that address the root causes of inequality and discrimination.
• Be an ally. Sometimes, just listening and standing in solidarity can make a world of difference.

As I left Amma that day, her words lingered in my mind: “When one of us stands, it’s a step forward. When we all stand together, it’s a movement.”

This Human Rights Day, let us remember that human rights are not just grand ideals-they are the everyday struggles and triumphs of people like Nimna. Let’s celebrate the rights we enjoy while committing to fight for those still being denied. By embracing empathy, education, and action, we can build a world where dignity, equality, and freedom are not privileges but realities for everyone.

The fight for human rights isn’t someone else’s battle; it’s ours. Together, we can create a future where no right, no matter how small, is overlooked—and where every voice is heard.