Most people may not be aware of what rights they have as human beings, but they do not lack the desire for basic protection that everyone rightfully deserves.
There are many notions of human rights, but let us talk about our No. 1 concern: protection. Is human rights just for victims of heinous crimes, or for perpetrators of crimes committed against them? Who is it for really?
As for the perpetrators, there is no question that they deserve due process because if a suspect is convicted despite his innocence, that would be worse. We have different opinions stemming from our own different experiences and beliefs. But we have a common denominator: thirst for peace.
Our hearts break whenever we see images of atrocities and they make us fearful for our own safety. But do you know what really is dangerous? That is when the government does nothing to suppress the common cause of violence — drugs.
The war on drugs may have led to a significant number of casualties but let us not forget the real intention behind it. It is for us. We all know where that campaign stemmed from. Of course, we all want to be safe from harm, and to know that we are protected from bad elements would mean a lot. For that, I am thanking the President, the military and the police, and the human rights groups for balancing the equation.
Let us stop the hate. We should refrain from asking who human rights is for. It is for everybody. Its notion will mean little unless every human being is treated with respect and dignity. Let us not fight about who deserves it more because it is for each and every one of us. Let us try to open our minds in understanding what the point of another person with a different view is. If all our hearts can be seen, we would know that they only yearn for three simple things: life, love, and happiness.
HASINTA SORIANO, hasiriano@gmail.com