Human rights preservation and protection in the face of global risks and threats: The importance of democracy and ways to enhance it

Abstract

The research relevance is determined by the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which poses an unprecedented threat to human rights not only in Ukraine but also throughout the world. The study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness of human rights protection in the context of global threats, including military conflicts. The paper examines in detail the concept of democracy and its key role in ensuring fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens. It is shown that it is the democratic system that guarantees the exercise of such fundamental rights as freedom of speech, freedom of association, participation in government, equal access to justice. The study analyses the destructive impact of global threats, in particular the COVID-19 pandemic and the full-scale war in Ukraine, on the human rights situation in the world. Based on statistical data, it is concluded that the weakening of democratic institutions in the face of threats leads to massive human rights violations and creates favourable conditions for the spread of authoritarian tendencies. The author substantiates the need to strengthen international cooperation and mutual support of democratic countries to counter global challenges and protect human rights. Specific recommendations for improving international human rights mechanisms are proposed. The results of the study are of value for further research on the promotion of human rights in the context of global instability

Keywords

• autocracy
• freedom of speech
• human rights
• pandemic
• russian-ukrainian war
• rule of law