"Social justice" was coined by Jesuit priest Luigi Taparelli in 1840 based on the teaching of st Thomas Aquinas. A socially just society is one that is based on upon the principle of equality and fairness. Such a society both understands and values human rights. The constitution of the ILO affirms that universal and lasting peace can be established only if based on social justice.
The constant protests by the civil society against various issues in Kenya is an attempt at seeking social justice. As a country we will never achieve lasting peace until we pursue social justice. Everyday the government institutions are trampling rights of civilians and suppressing every voice raised to fight for these rights.
If a government will kill to cover its rotten practices, then where will the weak,poor and starving women and children go? Every election period women flock polling stations hoping to change the system, but it just never changes. Men discuss and influence each other ganging up support for the leaders they believe will bring the much needed change. But it never really comes.
How many extrajudicial killings have happened? How many people have been detained illegally, tortured and eventually killed for things they do not know about without even a chance to defend themselves? Do we really value human rights? What happened to being presumed innocent until proven guilty? What happened to "you cannot be a judge in your own cause"? Whatever happened to fairness and equality? Is anyone even reading this?
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