Human rights is not just an interesting topic for social scientists and legal experts to discuss. It must be the most basic element of any society that seeks to be fair and prosperous.

At times, the discussion about human rights may appear irrelevant to our daily lives. Sometimes it may appear as a nuisance. Sometimes it may feel like it is a lot of work. However, the moment we start taking human rights for granted is the moment our rights will start slipping away. Once that happens, it will become much harder to restore them and in the process, many will pay a heavy price.

While at times, the debate over human rights can be misguided and convoluted, we must never lose sight of its fundamental element: Everyone deserves equal rights regardless of their ethnicity, education, income, religion, gender, and any other personal characteristics.

The commitment to this fundamental principle has to be a litmus test for all of our leaders. If any of them are willing to compromise on that principle in what may appear to be a minor case, we all must be alarmed. Once one can make a justification for a minor infraction, one cannot be trusted for major breaches behind closed doors. 

This was taped at the UTM Liberals and Students for Omar Alghabra event with the Attorney General Chris Bentley at the University of Toronto Mississauga campus.