ISLAMABAD: There is a misconception that human rights are a western idea and the West has been trying to implement it. The fact is that rights were guaranteed in different civilisations and religious books, including the Quran. Every state has to ensure the rights of its citizens.

These views were expressed by International Labour Organisation (ILO) country director Francesco d’Ovidio at an event, “United Nations speaker’s corner”, at the Pak-China Friendship Centre on Friday.

The event was a part of the third-day National Book Day Festival organised by the National Book Foundation.

Mr Francesco said all human beings had something in common so it was human dignity to ensure the same kind of rights for every human being.

“Though there is the ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’, it cannot guarantee human rights. Countries have to do legislation to ensure human rights.”

Mr Francesco said there were three generations of human rights. The first is simple and the state doesn’t have to make efforts to implement them. The freedom of expression is included in the first generation of rights.

“However, states have to make efforts to ensure the second generation of rights which include economic growth, employment and poverty reduction. The third generation rights include the right to peace.”

He said the World Bank, European Union and other international organisations were giving incentives to those countries who ensured human rights. So it is also an opportunity for the nations to ensure human rights and get financial benefits.

UN’s acting resident coordinator Dr Jacqui Badcock said after the World War II the world felt that it should codify the human rights.

“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights should be observed. Countries should adopt it voluntarily; however, they can modify it as per their requirements. When countries sign the declaration it becomes their obligation to implement it. Pakistan has ratified the declaration,” she said.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play