In the year 2025, Alex Neve, the CBC Massey Lecturer, expressed concerns about the current state of human rights. Reflecting on the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 post-World War II, Neve highlighted the increasing challenges facing human rights today. He emphasized the importance of preventing the resurgence of hate, mass atrocities, and the selective application of human rights in a world where the global order is deteriorating.
Neve, a prominent human rights lawyer and former Secretary-General of Amnesty International Canada, delivered a series of lectures across Canada exploring the origins of universal human rights, the failures in upholding them, and strategies to revitalize the commitment to universal rights.
Throughout his lectures, Neve emphasized the collective responsibility of individuals to uphold human rights, as outlined in the Universal Declaration. Despite the prevailing challenges, he remains optimistic about the potential to renew the universal promise of human rights.
Titled “Universal: Renewing Human Rights in a Fractured World,” Neve’s Massey Lectures delve into the essence of human rights universality and the need to address the gaps in fulfilling this promise. The lectures, following the footsteps of renowned speakers like Tanya Talaga and Margaret Atwood, are now available in book form published by House of Anansi Press.
In his first lecture, Neve discussed the core principle of universal human rights and the necessity to ensure that these rights are accessible to all individuals. He highlighted the importance of honoring human rights commitments and maintaining the integrity of these fundamental freedoms.
Subsequent lectures delved into historical lessons and the evolving nature of human rights, emphasizing that these rights are inherent and inalienable from birth. Neve raised concerns about the powerful elite manipulating human rights criteria, leading to disparities in rights protection.
Neve also discussed the role of grassroots movements in realizing human rights goals and shared insights from his extensive experience in advocating for human rights on an international platform. His final lecture focused on Canada’s role in upholding universal human rights standards and the need for a comprehensive human rights agenda in the country.
Neve’s lectures serve as a reminder of the ongoing importance of human rights advocacy and the collective effort required to safeguard these rights for all individuals globally.