by Anne-Sophie de Groot
I don’t have to tell you that this has been a bizarre year. A big part of our lives came to a sudden halt and have changed rigorously. Luckily many people have continued their work for our basic needs. Think about supermarket workers, so we could buy toilet paper, think about the healthcare workers, of whom many have been working harder than ever before to care for those who have been needing it the most.
You know what else hasn’t stopped this year? The fight for human rights. This year those who stand up for human rights have continued their work of advocating. Yes, it is sad to think about the fact that it still is necessary that these people still have to take action. However, in the light of ending the year on a more positive note, I would like to show you some of the success stories of this year. Which successes did 2020 bring for human rights?
Source photo: Amnesty International, Protests in Northern-Ireland
In multiple countries abortion laws have been changed. Last year abortion was decriminalised in Northern Ireland, this year a framework came into effect for lawful abortion services. The change of law and new framework gives women the choice to abort in most cases up to 12 weeks since 31 March. Earlier it was considered a criminal offence, forcing women to travel to other countries to be able to abort.
In Argentina the president has committed to his election promise to legalise abortion. He has submitted a bill to do so, which has been approved by the lower house. In the last days of December the senate will have a say on the bill, but people show strong beliefs that the senate will follow the lower house, and history will be written in Argentina.* Meanwhile in Slovakia a new law that would restrict the access to safe abortions was voted out by the parliament, protecting their women’s rights.
Source photo: Amnesty International, Danish protestors
Denmark has written history of its own kind by passing a bill that recognises sex without consent as rape. Survivors have been campaigning for years to change a common misconception, the idea that rape always comes with violence or that the person is being attacked and unable to resist.
With Denmark included, so far only in 12 European countries sex without consent is classified as rape. However, currently in the Netherlands a bill proposal is being written to criminalise when a person is not acting upon the knowledge that the other person does not consent. Now the law also requires force for it to be considered rape. Also in Spain a new bill has been announced to classify sex without consent as rape, to criminalise it and to be prosecuted as such.
Source photo: Amnesty International, Protest in Northern-Ireland
Other good news coming from Northern Ireland is the legalisation of same-sex marriage. It is now possible to marry a person of the same sex, and to have your marriage legally recognised in Northern Ireland. Before it was possible to enter into civil partnership, which was exclusively set up for same sex couples. Five years earlier it was already voted upon, resulting in a majority in favour, however it was blocked by a veto.
In South Korea a bill was proposed to end discrimination of LHBTI. In the country there still are forms of institutional discrimination, such as criminalising intercourse during military service. They are subjected to violence and stigmas, but the presented bill provides hope for the community.
The Greek government has announced to end the practice of detaining unaccompanied migrant children. The children would usually be detained in police stations in unsanitary and overcrowded cells with risk of abuse. According to the government, at the moment of announcement, no children remained in police custody anymore.
The Philippines has taken a step in the protection of children. The House of Representatives has passed a bill that raises the age of sexual consent to 16, which used to be 12, amongst the lowest in the world. The bill has received an extensive majority, and is now moved to the Senate, where it is expected to pass as well. The bill would protect victims of both genders and takes out the provision that decriminalises rape if the offender proposed to marry the victim.
Saudi Arabia is abolishing the death penalty for children up to 18 years old. Also torture with sticks and whips will no longer be imposed as punishment on people. This change happened after heavy criticism from all over the world. Also in Chad the death penalty has been abolished and in the US, as the twenty-second state, Colorado has done so.
Source photo: Thomas Elliot, Protests in Denver
Throughout the whole world protests have erupted in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The movement already started in 2013 in the US, but this year it has reached all over the world and thereby gained traction. It has led to protest around the world, discussions, political debate, and attention.
Honestly this has been just a small selection of all the good that has happened the past year. There is so much more to find and to be spread. When advocating for human rights it is easy to find violations and to be absorbed by the negativity, but we should also celebrate the successes. Let’s remember that in a world where a lot of the news is focussed on the negative, we should also look for the good, there is plenty.
* EDIT: The senate has passed the vote, voting with 38 in favour, 29 against, and one abstention. On the last moments of the year, 2020 has gained a landmark moment for women's rights, and human rights, with the legalisation of abortion in Argentina.