New Delhi, Dec 10 (Inditop.com) UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay Thursday said that despite a number of rights based treaties being signed, discrimination – whether it’s towards women or minorities – is still rampant in the world.
“Women work two-thirds of the world’s working hours and produce half of the world’s food, yet earn only 10 percent of the world’s income and own less than one percent of the world’s property,” Pillay said in a statement, on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day.
“Minorities in all regions of the world continue to face serious threats, discrimination and racism, and are frequently excluded from fully taking part in the economic, political, social and cultural life available to the majorities in the countries or societies where they live,” she added.
Refugees and migrants are also widely discriminated against, even in rich countries, “where men, women and children who have committed no crime are often held in detention for prolonged periods”.
“They are frequently discriminated against by landlords, employers and state-run authorities, and stereotyped and vilified by some political parties, media organisations and members of the public,” Pillay said.
“I would therefore urge everyone – politicians, officials, businesses leaders, civil society, national human rights institutions, the media, religious leaders, teachers, students, and each and every individual – to honour the human rights day by embracing diversity and resolving to take concrete and lasting actions to help put an end to discrimination,” she added.
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram who was the chief guest at a function organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Thursday further said that all sections of the community, including the gay community’s rights should be respected.
