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Kirsten
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Universal Declaration of Human Rights
May 5, 2008 - 11:45 AM
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On December 10, 2008, the world will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration was signed on December 10th,1948 and over the last 60 years it has continued to affect people's lives and inspire human rights activism and legislation all over the world.
Although Human Rights are a universal concept, it means something different to everyone and each of you has your own unique perspective on the topic. There are so many different angles to how human rights affects us.
How does it affect you and what does the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights mean to you?
This post was edited on: 2008-05-05 at 11:45 AM by: kirstenjordan (Moderator)
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Adel
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Re: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
May 7, 2008 - 04:06 PM
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thanks v.much Kirsten for this subject
I think that the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Come this year at a time when the peoples living conditions particularly harsh Especially in the South because of violations of human rights innumerable…
Really there is a large gap between the dreams of people felt during the issuance of this declaration during the last century and the bitter reality that when people live because of illegal and immoral practices of various governments and violating all human rights charters political, economic, social and cultural rights…
From my perspective, the biggest personal limit to what this announcement is what was done by the americain forces in Iraq at Abu Ghraib prison and also in the Guantanamo prison…
I'm working now with some friends from over the world to prepare an international event with occasion of the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and we'll crying together:
"CLOSE GUANTANAMO"
*I will return to the subject later**
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Kirsten
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Re: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
May 8, 2008 - 11:06 AM
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gadel84 wrote:
thanks v.much Kirsten for this subject
I think that the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Come this year at a time when the peoples living conditions particularly harsh Especially in the South because of violations of human rights innumerable…
Really there is a large gap between the dreams of people felt during the issuance of this declaration during the last century and the bitter reality that when people live because of illegal and immoral practices of various governments and violating all human rights charters political, economic, social and cultural rights…
From my perspective, the biggest personal limit to what this announcement is what was done by the americain forces in Iraq at Abu Ghraib prison and also in the Guantanamo prison…
I'm working now with some friends from over the world to prepare an international event with occasion of the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and we'll crying together:
"CLOSE GUANTANAMO"
*I will return to the subject later**
Interesting- Guantanamo is a modern-day tragedy. What I find particularly interesting are governments' hypocrisy on this issue. For example, they talk a lot about treating people with dignity and respecting human rights, yet something like Guantanamo occurs. Where are the human rights there?
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El Alaoui
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Re: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
May 8, 2008 - 04:46 PM
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we live in a world that is studded with paradoxical doctrines, with miscellaneous perceptions and considerations on how to exist and to be alive in a dignified way. Human being's dignity is the essence of the universal declaration of human rights I suppose. But unfortunately there are so many people (citizens) in various countries who are stripped of their basic rights of survival, let alone a life with dignity. that's due to civil war, extreme poverty, absence of democracy and arbitrary reign. on the other hand there is the issue of cultural relativity as well. the movement of human rights sprung approximately in the age of enlightenment with various philosophers such as rousseau, diderot...so after the second world war, the drafters of the UDHR were inspired by these philosophers and dreamed of a better place. yet all the persons who drafted the said declarations belong to a western culture; they haven't taken in considerations the other cultural specificities; which are of primordial importance, of people in the other parts of the earth. Another issue here is that HR tend to follow the movement on cultural imperialim in its démarche towards underdeveloped countries; the existence of Guantanamou, the great gap between exporters and importers of cultures and goods account for the lack of harmonious universality of human dignity.
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expat
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Re: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
May 8, 2008 - 07:46 PM
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http://kangaroocourtaus.ath.cx/kangaroo_court_australia/index.php?showtopic=651
UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS under fire, Accessory to mass murder and a war criminal
According to the Canadian Barrister, Ms. Arbour, 61, is a "criminal, corrupt, (and) a shame to all Canadians". The sooner she is indicted and thrown in prison the better, says Mr. Black - who was reacting to an interview of the former senior UN officer on CBC. Ms. Arbour announced Sunday that she was retiring after years of international service.
In 1997, Ms. Arbour is said to have been informed by her chief of investigations, Australian Michael Hourigan and his team, including FBI agent Jim Lyons and Canadian police officers assigned to their unit that it was the RPF who had shot down the plane and massacred all those people.
"But instead of indicting Paul Kagame and the RPF men who had murdered all those people she ordered Hourigan to come to The Hague where she told him to kill the investigation and to burn his notes", says Mr. Black.
"This makes her an accessory to mass murder and a war criminal."
COme join us in our struggle
http://www.kangaroocourtaustralia.com/
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Jon M.
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Re: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
May 15, 2008 - 04:18 PM
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Hi. I find one misconception found in The U.S and many other places is that are youth understand what basic respect and treatment each person is subject to. I am 12. As youth, we treat each other differently based on race, sex, where we live, and where we come from. Do people think this is alright? Remember, as human beings, we deserve to be treated the SAME.I just wish more people would understand this concept. I treat people, no matter if their a guy, if they're white, if they're German, if they're a girl, if they're gay, if their black... it does not matter. If only this is what was preached on cable networks like MTV OR E! God help the youth... peace on Earth is closer within ourselves than in actuality. Love and peace, from Jonathan
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Kimia
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Re: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
May 25, 2008 - 11:20 AM
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To me, the Declaration is incredibly important in holding nation states and individuals accountable to not only exercise their own rights and respect those of others in their country, but to recognize the common rights we all share irrespective of where we live, our culture, history, etc. For me, its value is in its applicability to all individual, peoples and places.
Many children and youth are unaware of their rights and that such a declaration exists. It is important to educate them on their rights - equal to others around the world - and how to leverage this declaration to hold others accountable when their rights are entrenched on. It is amazing to see their reactions and immediate empowerment that comes from learning of their internationally recognized right to a meaningful life of dignity and chances.
What I question is whether UN states have implemented any mechanisms or policies to actually live this declaration as it is meant to be a starting point. Do they hold one another accountable to ensure that their citizens are informed of their rights and given the political space to speak out and advocate for social justice and the quality of life that is considered their human right?
I also want to emphasize that with rights come responsibilities. I feel blessed,for the most part I feel validated through the experiences I have had, the freedom to express myself and my disdain for certain structures and processes and federal agendas in Canada, and the support of elders that have enriched my life. But with all this comes a responsibility to ensure that we all hold an equal place in our society, are treated justly irregardless of our background, colour, social standing, etc. And we acknowledge the mistakes we have made and the oppression we have inflicted on our fellow citizens, in Canada i am speaking particularly about the disenfranchisement of aboriginal peoples and the extreme violation of their rights who still must pay the price for the unfathomable subjugation they experienced in recent history. I view human rights as a collective good, rights that cannot be fully exercised until it is exercised by all equally. i see it as my responsibility to work towards this end of a truly just world.
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Raine
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Re: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
May 25, 2008 - 11:45 PM
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nice comment, Jonathan. you've got great perspective, especially for someone your age.
as for the declaration of human rights, it bothers me that the U.S. has never officially appologized to the Native Americans the way Australia did to the Aborigines. is it so hard? and you're right about Abu Graib and our other pathetic excuses for prisons. what happened to "treat others as you would like to be treated?" what ever happened to the right to a fair and speedy trial? no cruel and unusual punishment? our government has a lot of hypocrites. GRRR!!!! 
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davyk
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Re: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
May 27, 2008 - 10:29 AM
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jennysmith i enjoyed it when you said has a lot of hypocrites are found in the US government and i must say Bush is the main culprit
I quote a post that i have made and see why i always say these guys have no moral groud to lecture anyone about human rights issues.
"It is saddening to note that the US is not relenting in causing chaos and anarchy in the world while at the same time pretending to be advancing human rights and the rule of law, which it does not practise.
On May 10, 2008 about 300 mainly African-Americans were arrested for demonstrating against the acquittal of three white police officers who had shot down a black man in cold blood.
This wanton killing of blacks is rampant in the US and UK with the complicity of the respective governments doing nothing about it but these two racist states would want the world to believe that they care about all corners of the earth yet they can’t protect their own citizens.
What sheer hypocrisy?"
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Henry Ekwuruke
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Re: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
May 31, 2008 - 06:37 AM
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It took me so much time to respond because I was sleeping and waking up, trying to figure out what the Universal Declaration on Human Rights mean to me, my family, my community, my local government, my state, my country, my continent, and my world.
What it means to my friends bothered me and what does it mean to my mom?
She said, "it means hope to her."
For me, the declaration means life at full and life for humanity. It came to mean liberty and it means my abode is safe and secured. It means, "I am alive."
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Shweta
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Re: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
June 2, 2008 - 08:20 AM
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UDHR, to me, forms an important part of the history of the human right movement. However, what has become more significant for me are the -Conventions- which are binding on the coutries ratifying it once it comes into force. A declaration, however good, remains like a guideline. For example, till now, rights of persons with disabilties were not much acknowledged even by people who would know and practice guidelines of UDHR. But the recent "UN convention on rights of persons with disabilties" (UNCRPD) is going to lead to a major shift.
I think it will be interesting for all of us to also see how Conventions have been enforced after UDHR and how has the human right movement progressed after it.
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Andi
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Re: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
June 3, 2008 - 12:48 PM
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I feel like the Declaration is an important step towards a universal recognition of some basic rights and freedoms for all people. It is interesting to see how few people (especially young people) are aware that they are supposed to be guaranteed these things.
Unfortunately the success and widespread adherence to this document are seriously threatened by the fact that powerful nations do not act in accordance.
I think that one of the FIRST steps in recognizing and upholding these ideas worldwide is pressure from within western nations to force governments to act properly. They need to give themselves a credible position from which they can exercise moral authority. At the moment, most of the actions that are made by western governments to uphold human rights are ironic and hypocritical.
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atoo faith
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Re: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
June 13, 2008 - 05:36 AM
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speaking of rights, i think we ought to turn our attention to what is happening in SouthAfrica. Burning people alive just because ur xenophobic. It beats my understanding, that someone can deliberately inflict such pain on another humanbeing while managing to be totally oblivious to the other person's cries of pain. In my opinion, those cries should be enough to awaken a grain of compassion in even the hardest of hearts. SouthAfricans, barbarism is not a stereotype for Africans, please donot let it seem like so. In line with humanrights, the international community should put in line some policies that tackle xenophobia, that way, the dreams of we the globetrotters will not be crushed!
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Ezra Perlman
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Re: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
June 28, 2008 - 01:08 PM
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I am glad that the 60th aniversery is being recognized however i must admit there is still much to be done.
all over the world there are constant violations of our human rights to the point where I begin to wonder how far we've REALLY come. 60 years or 60 days? that may sound rather pessimistic but something needs to be done about the horrible ways people are treated in places such as china South America and various places all over Africa (to this I feel a particular tie because half of my family lives in South Africa).
chances of living for people in poverty are bleak at best.
it is sometimes easy too forget the larger issues when you live so far away from them but since i visited my family in South Africa the last time human rights has been constantly on my mind.
no one must give up.
stay solid.
~E
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mnopq
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Re: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
July 5, 2008 - 03:44 AM
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I once had a big fight with one girl who worked at Amnesty International because of a 30-min conversation about the declaration.
The argument was very simple. Most of the articles in the declaration are either redundant or unnecessary. Claim was that only few articles were really universal to which every human being regardless of everything had a right to. Everything else had to be deserved, worked for, etc.
Declaration of human rights tries to put every single human on an equal footing - humans are not born equal on a genetic level - with everyone else and give the same starting point. As much as the idea is good, I don't think that the manner of formulation and putting it into the internationallly consented context thus expecting it to be implemented by all and in all places is going to cut it.
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