Countries around the world have failed to protect human rights in the year gone by.

2024 has also shown that global governments need to do more to uphold human rights principles, while many people have been willing to put their lives at risk to hold on to their rights.

The inability to protect human rights is proof of why bodies such as the ICC are important, as well as other groups that help protect human rights, leaving governments silent and inactive.

The past year suggested that governments have “failed the test” when having to hold those committing human rights abuses accountable, according to the latest ‘World Report’ from NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW).

HRW Executive Director Tirana says that even governments that have tried to protect their people have done so “weakly or inconsistently”.

Many elections are now not able to guarantee a prosperous future, with many being rigged and driven by “racism, hate and discrimination.”

2024 has also highlighted the importance of the people.

Often, it is the citizens of the country who resilience and resistance “compel” governments to “uphold basic rights” and “serve the people instead of their own interests,” Ms Hassan said.

Women and girls have also suffered and to continue to suffer immensely in areas where conflict and civil unrest prevail, as they are constantly abused, physically and sexually, the report said.

Many governments have shown contradiction in the ways in which they take a stand against armed conflict.

The US, for example, continues to show support for Israel and provides it with arms, but condemns Russia’s actions against Ukraine.

Other countries’ politicians have used “fear and misinformation,” as stated by Hassan, to continue holding onto power, such as the leaders of countries like El Salvador and Russia.

With continuing unrest, doubt, and many conflicts around the world, 2025 does not seem very promising when it comes to the protection of human rights.

As the report suggests, human rights cannot be honoured when governments remain dormant, leaving their own people to defend themselves.

The report further highlights that, 2025 can see a change in the continuous abuse of human rights in some ways.

Ms Hassan said governments need to allow for more “free expression and peaceful assembly” and bring those who abuse human rights to justice “no matter how powerful.”

Taking accountability along with amplifying the “voices of those who have been silenced,” can present opportunities to change the current situation.

Human rights abuses frequently result in the loss of human lives, which cannot be fixed.

But, as the report proposes, protecting and defending human rights allows humanity to flourish, and benefits both politicians and citizens of the world.