Dhaka: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein has said unprecedented pressure on international human rights standards risks unravelling the unique set of protections set in place after the end of World War II.

Speaking at the run-up to Human Rights Day on December 10, Zeid also stressed it was within the power of every individual to play a role in pushing back against such pressures, and that many are already doing so.

“2016 has been a disastrous year for human rights across the globe, and if the growing erosion of the carefully constructed system of human rights and rule of law continues to gather momentum, ultimately everyone will suffer,” Zeid was quoted as saying in a statement received here from Geneva. 

He said many of them are fearful about the way the world is heading and called on people to stand up for rights of others. 

“Extremist movements subject people to horrific violence. Conflicts and deprivation are forcing families from their homes. Climate change darkens our horizons. Discrimination, yawning economic disparities and the ruthless desire to gain or maintain power at any cost are the principal drivers of current political and human rights crises. Humane values are under attack - and so many people feel overwhelmed, unsure what to do or where to turn.”

Zeid announced that on Human Rights Day, the UN Human Rights Office will launch a campaign entitled ‘Stand up for someone’s rights today’.

“At a time of enormous turmoil and rapid change, the values which uphold peace across the world are too important to be left to international institutions and governments alone,” he said adding that it is within the power of every woman, man and child to stand up for respect and tolerance and push back the violence and hatred which threaten our world.

The UN human rights chief urged people everywhere to defend a system that was designed precisely with the aim of making the world a better place for everyone.

“A world where people focus only on the needs of their narrow social, national or religious group, and ignore or attack the equal needs of others, is a world which can very quickly descend into misery and chaos,” Zeid added.