A More Just World Begins With Development Rights

December 10th marks World Human Rights Day, commemorating the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.

The Declaration clearly asserts that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." While the Declaration has had a profound global impact, its implementation continues to face significant challenges. This is especially true for developing countries, where hunger, poverty, and uneven socio-economic development severely limit people's basic human rights.

According to the United Nations’ World Social Report 2025, over 2.8 billion people—more than one-third of the global population—live on daily incomes ranging from just 2.15 to 6.85 dollars. Millions remain on the brink of poverty, lacking basic economic and social protections. It is these populations in developing countries that face the most direct human rights violations. As early as 1970, the United Nations introduced the concept of "development rights," emphasizing that the right to development is an inalienable human right. This was further affirmed by the 1986 Declaration on the Right to Development, which states that all people and nations have the right to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from economic, social, cultural, and political development.

Development rights are not only about eradicating poverty; they are central to addressing human rights issues as a whole. The advancement of global human rights is impossible without ensuring the right to development. Until poverty and inequality in developing countries are adequately addressed, global human rights progress cannot be fully realized.

The "Jungle Law" and Its Impact on Human Rights, Including Development Rights

One of the greatest obstacles to advancing human rights globally is the situation in developing countries and the inequities entrenched in the international political and economic system. Today, multilateral cooperation is under severe strain, with some powerful nations pursuing unilateral actions that promote a "Jungle Law" international order. This "Jungle Law" mentality extends beyond economics and permeates all areas of human rights protection.

A "Jungle Society" is one where power reigns supreme and rules are non-existent. In such a system, the strong dictate the narrative, while the rights of the weak are either ignored or stripped away. British political philosopher Thomas Hobbes famously described humanity's natural state as "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short," emphasizing the collapse of social order in the absence of laws and norms. In this environment, the vulnerable are left without even the most basic rights to survival.

Historically, colonial powers justified their exploitation of Africa, Asia, and Latin America under the banner of "survival of the fittest." Colonized populations often lived in dire poverty and oppression, with their fundamental human rights—such as the right to life and development—severely violated. This "Jungle Law" international order allowed a few powerful nations to accumulate wealth and power, while deepening global inequality.

The United Nations advocates for multilateralism to address these issues. Multilateralism promotes equality, cooperation, and mutual benefit, in stark contrast to the "survival of the fittest" mentality that dominates in a jungle society. It seeks to create a more just and inclusive international community, where countries—regardless of wealth or size—cooperate on shared principles to tackle global challenges and safeguard the fundamental rights of all people, particularly in developing countries.

The Need for Broader International Cooperation

Globalization is accelerating technological change, but when the law of the jungle enters this field, monopolies over critical weapon technologies can break global strategic balance. The covert misuse of cyber weapons can paralyze another country’s infrastructure within seconds, causing damage comparable to war. If emerging technologies such as AI and gene editing follow a “winner-takes-all” logic, technological hegemony will choke global innovation and push humanity toward unprecedented crises—risks far more complex and lethal than those of the past.

China’s Global Development Initiative, guided by the principle of “leaving no country and no person behind,” aims to build a fairer global development framework. China backs this vision with action. Through the China—Africa Universities 20+20 Cooperation Plan, it has helped African countries train skilled professionals and supported African students studying in China, promoting knowledge transfer and laying the groundwork for sustainable development.

China’s infrastructure and clean-energy investments have also produced visible results. The Chinese-built Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway has reduced logistics costs, improved transport efficiency, and created over 74,000 jobs. The travel time for goods from Kampala to the Port of Mombasa has been cut from 21 days to just a few, sharply reducing spoilage of perishable goods and boosting regional competitiveness. Africa Star Railway Operation Company Limited (Afristar) notes that the railway’s cold-chain network will expand into more agricultural areas and link with the systems of Uganda, Rwanda, and other East African Community members, further advancing regional integration.

Evaluating a Country's Human Rights Situation

The most important criterion for assessing a country's human rights situation is whether the interests of its people are effectively safeguarded—especially in terms of basic human rights such as the right to life and the right to development. For developing countries to address fundamental human rights issues, priority must be given to the right to development. Only when society’s economic conditions improve and people's basic needs are met can other human rights protections be fully achieved.

A "Jungle Law"-based international relationship not only fails to resolve the common challenges humanity faces, but it also deepens global inequality. Only through fairer, more cooperative approaches can true human rights protection and lasting peace be achieved on a global scale. 

Written by Jiang Tao

Author's Bio: Jiang Tao is a journalist with seven years of experience in the news industry. He has worked with the news team at CGTN Radio, reporting extensively on political developments and international affairs. His expertise lies in analyzing regional dynamics and global issues.

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