Publication date: 05.07.2024
active and purposeful military lawyer with more than 4 years of experience
Violation of the equality of citizens depending on their racial, national, religious affiliation: threats to society
Introduction
Equality of citizens and non-discrimination based on race, nationality or religion are the main principles of democratic societies. Unfortunately, in real practice we often encounter manifestations of violation of these fundamental human rights. Discrimination on the basis of race, nationality or religion poses serious threats to the harmonious development of society and can lead to large-scale social conflicts. In this article, we will consider the main manifestations of such discrimination, its causes and consequences, as well as ways to counter this dangerous phenomenon.
Legal guarantees of equality
The right to equality and the prohibition of discrimination are enshrined in the main international human rights documents, in particular in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Most countries of the world, including Ukraine, have ratified these documents and incorporated their norms into national legislation.Thus, the Constitution of Ukraine guarantees equality of rights and freedoms of citizens regardless of their race, skin color, political, religious and other beliefs, gender, ethnic and social origin, property status, place of residence, language or other characteristics (Article 24). The Law of Ukraine "On Principles of Prevention and Counteraction of Discrimination in Ukraine" details these provisions, prohibiting discrimination in the fields of employment, education, social protection, housing relations, access to goods and services, etc.
Similar legal guarantees are accepted in most democratic countries. However, unfortunately, in practice we often observe numerous cases of human rights violations caused by prejudice and intolerance towards persons of a different race, nationality or religion.
Manifestations of racial, national and religious discrimination
Discrimination on the basis of race, nationality or religion can manifest itself in various forms - from verbal insults and humiliation to denial of employment, education or access to social services.Common manifestations of such discrimination are:
Hate speech, stereotypes and prejudices against representatives of certain races, nationalities or religions in mass media, social networks, public speeches;
Denial of employment, housing or other services based on race, nationality or religion;
Restrictions on access to educational, health care, cultural and other social benefits;
Manifestations of violence, physical attacks on representatives of certain races, nationalities or religions;
Oppression, harassment, humiliation of representatives of minorities in schools, workplaces, and public places;
The artificial creation of barriers to the free use of language, the practice of religion or the preservation of cultural identity.
Such manifestations of discrimination cause serious damage to the physical and mental health of the victims, deprive them of opportunities for self-realization and a dignified life, and in extreme cases can lead to massive conflicts and violent actions.
Causes of racial, national and religious discrimination
The roots of racial, national and religious intolerance go back a long way. The history of mankind is replete with examples of inter-ethnic, inter-religious conflicts, wars, genocides provoked by artificially imposed prejudices and xenophobia. The origins of this phenomenon lie in both psychological and socio-economic factors.
From a psychological point of view, intolerance of the "other" is rooted in human nature. The reluctance to perceive different cultures, traditions, and appearance is often due to the brain's simpler mechanism of categorization "own-foreign" and mistrust of everything unfamiliar.In addition, group identity, the feeling of "us" against "them" encourages people to form negative stereotypes about representatives of other groups.
Consequences of racial, national and religious discrimination
Tolerating discrimination based on race, nationality or religion has serious consequences for society. First of all, it causes enormous damage to victims of prejudice and intolerance. People who experience racial or ethnic discrimination often suffer from mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. They have fewer opportunities to realize their rights and potential in the economic, social, and cultural spheres.
In addition, discrimination undermines social cohesion, hinders integration and mutual understanding between different population groups. It creates deep divisions in society, provokes conflicts and violent acts based on intolerance. Ultimately, this affects economic development, because it reduces labor productivity, discourages investment, and leads to the loss of human capital.
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