Front Burner A hinge point for human rights
Nov 18, 2025
Alex Neve, an international human rights lawyer and former Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, dives into the pressing challenges facing human rights today. He discusses the alarming backslide since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, highlighting global indifference and geopolitical forces. Neve connects the ongoing Gaza famine to broader humanitarian crises and analyzes how politics hamper UN efforts. He emphasizes the need for public engagement and provides actionable steps to renew human rights, urging collective action for a more just world.
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Collective Power Can Reverse Human Rights Decline
- Alex Neve argues we're losing ground on human rights due to indifference, powerlessness, and dominant geopolitical and economic forces.
- He says reclaiming collective power and solidarity is essential to reverse this decline.
History Shows We Can Recommit To Universal Rights
- Post-World War II institutions arose from a choice to build global community after unprecedented atrocity.
- Neve sees parallels now and calls for a renewed commitment to universal human rights.
Push For UN And Security Council Reform
- Neve urges Canada to engage seriously in UN reform, especially Security Council reform, rather than shrug at imperfections.
- He argues reform is long-term work but too important to ignore.