SHOULD ANYONE BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST?

Celebrating Zero Discrimination Day

Discrimination is treating one person or a group worse than others. One should realise and accept the fact that it is not justifiable to treat one person or a group of persons as worse or inferior than another, as everyone has equal rights for liberty, equality and fraternity in the face of law. Hence, no one or  any group should be discriminated against on any grounds.  

The United Nations first celebrated the Zero Discrimination Day on March 01, 2014. The UNAIDS, an UN programme on human Immune deficiency virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune  Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was launched on its Zero Discrimination campaign on world’s AIDS Day in December 01, 2013.

The cause was the need to  raise awareness about equality and inclusion  and the need to fight against discrimination.  

Zero Discrimination day highlights the fundamental right of every individual to live without discrimination irrespective of his or her nationality, race, language, age, caste, religion, beliefs, disability, political views, literacy rate and various other differences. Led by the United Nations, these observances advocate for a world where all the people are entitled to equal dignity and respect.

PRINCIPLES OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF RIGHTS

Under democracy,  no one on earth should be discriminated against as every individual is protected by the  laws of justice. From the general nature of rights and their relation  to the State and the individual, we may now consider the principles of their distribution. These principles may be called the principles of distributive justice. They are procedural rules which   laws should follow in allocating and distributing rights among the members of the State. 

THE PROCEDURAL RULE OR PRINCIPLE OF LIBERTY

The procedural principle of liberty means that the State treats each and every moral person as a free agent, capable of developing his or her own capabilities in his or her own way, and therefore capable of enjoying and exercising the rights which are conditions of such development. Accordingly, it vests   each and every person who has reached the age of discretion with the recognised power of thinking, and acting for himself or herself  at his or her own discretion, and therefore on his or her own responsibility in respect of the enjoyment  and exercise of rights. Each person thus comes under and all are covered by a procedural rule of liberty which  is always also a responsibility; to be free to act is also to be responsible for one’s actions. Each person comes under this rule and all are covered by this rule.

PROCEDURAL RULE OR THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUALITY

The principle of Equality means that all legal persons as equal in the eye of the law. It will not assign higher and lower grades of equality. One moral personality matters as much as another, and the assignation of legal personality which follows from and is based on the fact of moral personality will reflect the fact on which it is based.

THE PROCEDURAL RULE OR THE PRINCIPLE OF FRATERNITY

This is the principle of providing and distributing among people the equipment and material and mental requirements ranging from roads and sewers to libraries and museums which are needed by all on a common basis. All of us individually need liberty and equality for ourselves; all of us need collectively fraternity-common equipment for our common benefit.

Thus, justice, liberty, equality and fraternity are our rights as civilians. Whether the rights are fulfilled by the State or Parliament is a matter to be adjudged.

DISCRIMINATION CONTINUES TO AFFECT MILLIONS WORLDWIDE

In spite of justice, liberty, quality and fraternity, the rights as civilians, discrimination continues to affect millions worldwide impacting access to healthcare education, jobs and basic human dignity. When left unchecked, it can have devastating and far reaching consequences. For example racism has fuelled horrific atrocities throughout history including what happened in Russia in  1994 Russia and the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya in Myanmar. Furthermore,  in some parts of the world discrimination against LGBTO+ individuals is so severe that it can lead to imprisonment or even death while discriminatory laws in some countries deny women  basic freedoms such as owning property and choosing what they should wear. In spite of laws enacted recently females are ill treated by their male partners.

Nationality is a major reason for different countries worldwide to discriminate against one another and become rivals, one country attempting to show that it is superior to the other, especially when they are neigbouring countries cherishing different value systems. An example is the arch rivalry between India and Pakistan which has since been developed to such an extent that cricket players refrain from shaking hands with the rival team.

It is illegal to discriminate against any ethnic or religious group. However, despite the legal provisions available in the Constitution, certain ethnic or religious groups are discriminated  against. There are leaders, political leaders in particular who arouse the masses. Protest campaigns, debates and arguments develop into struggles and end up in divisions and civil wars at the cost of valuable resources including lives of both sides whereas it could have been settled through cordial discussions. 

Caste system is another factor against the concept of zero discrimination. In many countries world over, particularly in Eastern countries like India and our own country, the caste system had been a major factor against the concept of zero discrimination. In our own country, Sri Lanka and  India in particular, human beings born in the same soil were till recently were treated differently. Those who were born in so called high caste families were treated as superiors and those born to low caste families had been discriminated against and deprived of high positions. 

A baby born in a Rodiya family had to be a Rodiya throughout his or her life. They were discriminated against their wish and will. Cultivators, tappers, blacksmiths, drummers etc had to confine themselves to respective trades. Today, the situation has changed and any one is legally free to select his or her job. However,  there are sons and daughters who have opted to engage in the profession of their ancestors but they do their jobs in respectable ways. In our history there is a mention about a royal family which had deviated from the caste system. According to Mahawamsa king Dutugemuu’s son, prince Saliya married a low caste girl called Asokamala and the king treated her as his daughter-in-law. 

Discrimination continues to affect millions worldwide impacting access to healthcare, education and basic human dignity. When left unchecked it can have far reaching consequences. Hence, no one or a section of the community   should be left to be discriminated against any reason.

HOW ONE CAN GET INVOLVED TO ACHIEVE ZERO DISCRIMINATION

One can show his or her support on Zero Discrimination Day by raising awareness via social media, supporting organisations working towards ending discrimination and advocating for anti-discriminatory legislation. One can also share his or her story and stand for solidarity with those affected by discrimination. Lastly one can consider volunteering or becoming an advocate for legislative changes that fight discriminative practices and ensure equal opportunities for all.