Foreign relations should involve human rights, workers' rights

Hear the words of Kevin de León, uttered with the solemnity of one who knows that nations rise not by wealth alone but by the honor of their dealings: “Foreign relations should involve human rights, workers’ rights, and environmental protection.” This is not a casual suggestion, but a call to transform the way nations bind themselves together. For too long, alliances have been forged upon gold and power alone, ignoring the cries of the oppressed and the groans of the earth. De León’s words remind us that true greatness in diplomacy must be measured not only in treaties signed, but in the justice those treaties uphold.

The meaning rests upon three pillars: human rights, the sacred dignity of every person; workers’ rights, the just recognition of labor as the foundation of prosperity; and environmental protection, the guardianship of the natural world that sustains us all. Without these, foreign agreements are but hollow promises, enriching the powerful while leaving behind a trail of suffering and destruction. With these, however, diplomacy becomes not merely a contest of nations, but a covenant of humanity, binding peoples together in shared duty.

The origin of these words can be seen in the long struggles of history. Recall the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade, where foreign relations were driven by commerce alone, blind to the violation of human rights. For centuries, nations profited from chains, until conscience and rebellion forced them to reckon with the evil they had sanctioned. Or think of the Industrial Revolution, where treaties secured resources and markets but left countless workers in misery, their lives shortened in factories and mines. It was only when reformers fought for workers’ rights that progress became humane. And in our own time, the earth itself bears witness—forests razed, oceans poisoned, skies choked—because environmental protection was left out of international dealings.

One shining example of wisdom fulfilled is the Paris Climate Agreement. Nations, recognizing the shared peril of climate change, bound themselves not merely to profit but to protect the earth. Though imperfect, it showed that foreign relations could indeed place the environment at their heart, uniting rivals and allies alike in defense of the common home. This stands as proof that what de León urges is not mere idealism but a path already begun, one that must be strengthened by courage and persistence.

The lesson is clear: diplomacy without justice is but a transaction, but diplomacy with justice becomes a foundation for peace. Leaders must remember that when they negotiate trade, they are not merely exchanging goods—they are shaping the lives of workers. When they ally for power, they are not merely securing borders—they are determining the safety of human beings within and beyond them. And when they speak of growth, they are not merely counting wealth—they are weighing the survival of the earth itself.

What then must we do? As citizens, demand that those who represent us abroad carry these values with them. Do not accept treaties that exploit the laborer, silence the oppressed, or ravage the earth. Support leaders who weave human rights, workers’ rights, and environmental protection into every agreement they sign. And in your own life, practice this diplomacy daily: treat others with dignity, honor the labor of those who serve you, and protect the land, water, and air entrusted to your care.

Thus, remember Kevin de León’s words as a commandment for nations: “Foreign relations should involve human rights, workers’ rights, and environmental protection.” Let these three pillars guide not only governments, but also the hearts of men and women everywhere. For if nations build their relations on justice, the world will not only prosper, it will endure. And in this endurance lies the true legacy we must leave for generations yet unborn.