Human rights as a basis for a just future

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2024, Petra Bayr, member of the National Council and spokesperson for foreign policy and global development for the SPÖ parliamentary club, reminds us of the central importance of human rights for a fair and sustainable future. This year’s motto “Our Rights, Our Future, Now” emphasizes the urgency of actively demanding and implementing universal rights from every single person. “Human rights are not abstract principles, but the basis for a life of dignity and security. In particular, the right to a life free of violence is a universal human right that we must focus more on during the 16 days against violence against women – and December 10th marks the end of these 16 days,” said Bayr. ****

Patriarchal violence in all its forms – physical, psychological, economic or structural – represents a massive violation of human rights. “Globally, a woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes. The latest report on femicide, prepared by UN Women and UNODC in November 2024, shows that 60 percent of all homicides against women are committed by an intimate partner or family member. These are not just statistics, but tragic fates that show us that protecting women is not a ‘nice-to-have’, but a human rights obligation,” explains Bayr.

Bayr calls for increased political measures to enforce the right to a life free from violence. “This primarily includes national action plans to protect against violence,” said Bayr. These should include the nationwide establishment of violence clinics, secure funding for women’s shelters and counseling centers. In addition, it is essential that courts, police and everyone involved in the process be better trained and better networked in order to be able to act in a coordinated and professional manner.

In addition to short-term measures, there is also a need for increased violence prevention by strengthening men’s and boys’ work in order to prevent patriarchal violence right from the start. Bayr: “Only through the decisive implementation of such measures worldwide can we break the spiral of violence.”

According to Bayr, human rights and especially women’s rights are an indispensable part of sustainable development. “A future without violence is not just a vision, but a goal that we as a society must pursue in solidarity – men and women together. Because justice for women will bring us closer to a more just world.”

For more information, see the report from UN Women and UNODC – Femicides in 2023: Global estimates of intimate partner/family member femicides

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