Born Free: Human Rights and Dignity
Note: The following piece was co-authored by Providence Associates Jane Fischer, Pearlette Spring and Suzie Ray
The words, “born free” evoke a popular song written in 1966 for a movie by the same name. The movie was about a lion raised to adulthood in captivity, then set free as an adult. The lyrics of “Born Free” talk about being “as free as the wind blows, as free as the grass grows, born free to follow your heart …” But Laura Piening asks, “… what does it mean for a human being to be born free? Free to do what? What does it feel like?”
“…human rights to life and peace are essential conditions for the exercise of all other rights.” Pope Francis 2024
The Catholic Church declares that every person is created in the image of God and has innate dignity. Actions such as abortion, euthanasia, genocide and murder conflict with the dignity of the human person. The United Nations affirmed this declaration and took it further by declaring that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, written in 1948, has been translated into over 500 languages and is in over 70 Human Rights Treaties globally. This declaration includes 30 articles of which we would like to emphasize Article 25: Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
Even though the Catholic Church and the United Nations agree on Human Rights and Human Dignity, our global society reflects something different.
The Collins Dictionary defines the phrase “born free” as:
- (in South Africa) a person who was born or grew up after the end of the Apartheid era
- (in Zimbabwe) a person who was born or grew up after the end of White minority rule
In the United States, we know that African Americans were not considered “born free” until after the 1865 Emancipation Proclamation. They were not free to move freely across the nation until the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Another example is that the Indigenous Peoples of the United States were not considered citizens on their own lands until 1924. Even today, African, African Americans, Asians, Middle-Easterners, Hispanics, Latinos and the Indigenous population still face “born free” issues throughout the U.S. such as denial of equal privileges.
Each year, the International Rescue Committee analyzes countries and territories to identify the countries at greatest risk of experiencing a new or worsening human rights or human dignity crisis in the coming year. This Emergency Watchlist, a prioritized list below, reveals the top ten countries that we need to pay attention to in 2025.
Emergency Watchlist
10. Somalia | Third consecutive year on the watchlist escalating conflict; droughts and floods; 1.6 million children expected to suffer acute malnutrition; 20 percent of Somalis in extreme poverty; 1 million people cut off from aid |
9. Mali | Escalating conflict United Nations and French military support exited; increase in civilian casualties; armed groups gaining power increase in killings, kidnappings and displacement; severe food crisis; armed groups attacking granaries, blocking food supply routes; catastrophic floods in 2024, 350,000 people displaced; flooding has destroyed crops adding to food insecurity |
8. Haiti | Escalating conflict, gang violence, governmental dysfunction shortfalls in restoring security in the country amidst political instability; sexual violence, kidnappings, displacement and extortion plague communities; growing hunger, disease outbreaks and gangs stifle the delivery of aid; poor infrastructure and limited capacity to mitigate natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes |
7. Burkina Faso | Third consecutive year in the Watchlist top 10 severe violence; military may be involved in mass killing; said workers are targeted; reducing access to aid; climate shocks such as flooding, Dengue fever outbreak; economic crisis pushed people into poverty; poverty levels at 43 percent; many international partners stopped providing support |
6. Lebanon: Israel-Hezbollah | Conflict between Hezbollah and Israel cease-fire agreement November 2024; 1.4 million people fled their homes; 60,000 displaced; 3.7 million people in need of aid; health care system collapsing; 8 hospitals closed; 7 with limited capacity; 80 percent of population living in poverty |
5. South Sudan | Second consecutive year on top 5 Watchlist threats from conflict in neighboring Sudan hurting the economy, political instability and climate crisis; political instability, peace agreement expires February 2025; 878,000 refugees from neighboring Sudan; violence against aid workers blocking support; five years of flooding; 1 million people are at risk of diseases; flooding leading to hunger and famine; 2.1 million children will suffer acute malnutrition |
4. Syria | Non-state armed groups launched an attack, collapsing the government in December 2024 fourteen years of war led to the displacement of 13.8 million people; widespread poverty, 16.7 million people depend on aid; drought restricted access to water; cholera present; healthcare facilities not operational |
3. Myanmar | Escalating conflict and climate disasters increased violence against the ruling State; Cholera and other diseases overwhelm the health system; climate challenges such as cyclones and floods; 19.9 million people need aid; water and health systems affected by war |
2. Occupied Palestinian territory | More than a year in conflict; 1 in 50 people have been killed since October 2023 increase in civilian casualties; almost the entire population is facing crisis-level food insecurity; collapse of aid system including hospitals; land expropriation leading to loss of access to essential services for the Palestinians |
1. Sudan | Second year listed on top 10 Watchlist brutal civil war; sexual violence; ethnic cleansing; 750,000 people have already experienced catastrophic food insecurity; people starving to death daily; health system crippled; unable to prevent treatable diseases such as cholera; no protection for aid workers; delivery of aid left without support |
Chapter 25 of the Gospel of Matthew is a perfect backdrop for discussing human rights and human dignity. The truth is, “Every time you did this for the least of my sisters or brothers, you did it for me.” The “little ones” are not only the children but are also the vulnerable, the most insignificant, the outcast, the oppressed, the discarded, the poor, the marginalized, the unlearned, the sick and those who are downtrodden.
Sister Barbara Battista, SP, shares her recent experience traveling with Interfaith Journey for Justice. She discusses the resilience and determination of the people living their daily lives in a war zone amid denied human rights and human dignity. “My Trip to Palestine/Israel: Unholy Happenings in the Land that Muslims, Jews, and Christians Call Holy” is the podcast this month. They, too, yearn to be free.
“Mother Theodore’s legacy has continued through the years as the Sisters of Providence have dedicated themselves to human rights in a wide spectrum of issues through their ministries of service and advocacy. Despite the advances, sometimes it seems human rights are at an all-time low.” — Sister Donna Butler, SP
Call to Action
- Keep up to date on global issues: Al Jazeera and the BBC,
- Tools to help! Jewish Voice for Peace,
- Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center,
- Sisters of Providence Justice Coordinating Commission, and
- Get involved! Human Rights Day December 10, 2025: celebrated around the world. The 2025 Celebration will be for 77 years of working toward Human Rights for all.
Born free. As free as the wind blows. As free as the grass grows. Born free to follow your heart.
Live free. And beauty surrounds you. The world still astounds you. Each time you look at a star.
Stay free. Where no walls divide you. You’re free as a roaring tide so there’s no need to hide.
Born free. And life is worth living. But only worth living. ‘Cause you’re born free.