Human Rights – 'I am Sorry' – The Hardest Three Words to Say

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations in 1948, is important for several reasons.

• First global statement of rights: It was the first document in which the nations of the world agreed that every human being is born free and equal in dignity and rights.
• Common standard: It gives all countries a shared yardstick against which governments can be judged, whatever their religion, culture or system.
• Basis for later law: It inspired later treaties and many national constitutions, including the human-rights provisions of Nepal's constitution.
• Wider idea of rights: It covers not only civil and political rights but also economic and social rights such as education, work and an adequate standard of living, which matter in a world of growing inequality.
• Tool for justice: Ordinary people and activists use it to demand fair treatment and to hold the powerful accountable.

The essay "Human Rights and the Age of Inequality" argues, through the image of Croesus, the fabulously rich king, that human rights movements have defended civil liberties while ignoring the huge gap between the rich and the poor. Freedom to speak, vote and assemble matters, but it means little when wealth and power are concentrated in a few hands.

In Nepal, the constitution guarantees civil liberties such as freedom of expression, assembly, religion and movement, and there is a free press and active civil society. These are real achievements after the people's movements. Yet my view is that, as the essay suggests, these liberties are not equally enjoyed.

• A poor farmer, a landless labourer or a Dalit in a remote district often cannot use his freedom of speech or the courts as effectively as a rich or well-connected person in Kathmandu.
• Economic inequality, poverty and lack of education limit people's real choices and their voice in politics.
• Powerful groups can influence the media, the law and the administration, while the weak may be afraid to speak out.

So civil liberties in Nepal need to be matched by economic and social rights, such as education, health, jobs and land, and by action against corruption and discrimination. Only then will freedom be real for everybody and not a privilege of the Croesus-like few.

The essay "Human Rights and the Age of Inequality" argues that rights must be accompanied by real equality of conditions. Judged by this idea, the situation of child rights in Nepal shows progress but also serious gaps.

Progress: The Constitution of Nepal guarantees the rights of the child, including the right to name and identity, education, health care, and protection from labour, exploitation and abuse. The Act Relating to Children, 2018 and the Central Child Welfare Board work for their protection. School enrolment has risen, and free basic education has helped many children.

Problems:

• Child labour is still found in brick kilns, carpet and domestic work, and in agriculture.
• Child marriage continues, especially among poor and marginalised communities.
• Many children, particularly girls, Dalits and children of remote areas, drop out of school or receive poor quality education.
• Malnutrition and lack of health care affect poor families more.
• Trafficking, abuse and street children remain concerns.

Opinion: These problems show the essay's point: rights written on paper are not enough where poverty and inequality persist. The state should give priority to the poorest children through better schools, nutrition programmes, strict enforcement of laws and support to poor families, so that every child can enjoy rights in practice.

If you are lost in a snow storm, it's best to dig a hole and sit in it until it stops snowing.

"It is best" is followed by the to-infinitive.

She left the clothes out although it was raining.

"Although" shows contrast between leaving the clothes out and the rain. (Or: She left the clothes out in spite of the fact that it was raining.)

In spite of her hard work, she couldn't get success.

"In spite of" (or "despite") is followed by a noun phrase and shows contrast.

It didn't stop raining yesterday.

"Stop" is followed by the gerund when it means to cease an action.

repairing

My car needs repairing right now.

After need, a gerund carries a passive meaning (the car needs to be repaired).

Despite being close friends, we have not seen each other's houses.

Despite is followed by a noun or gerund, so We are close friends becomes being close friends.

listening

I like listening to music.

After like, the gerund (-ing form) expresses a general liking. The verb listen takes the preposition to, so the complete sentence is "I like listening to music" (not "listening music").

Although she spoke very fast, I understood what she meant to say.

Although introduces the contrasting clause and is followed by a full clause.

to roll

The man loves to roll over the grass.

The gerund rolling is equally correct after loves.

We got wet in the rain although we had an umbrella.

"Although" (or "even though") joins two clauses showing contrast.

We go on outing every year although we always have financial problems.

"Although" joins two clauses showing contrast. "In spite" and "despite" are followed by a noun or gerund, and "however" does not join clauses.

(b) grow up

After the verb "watching" with an object ("my children"), the bare infinitive "grow up" is used.