Human Rights and Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights is a declaration of human rights is a declaration adopted by the united nations general assembly on the 10^th of December 1948 in Palais de Charliot, Paris France. It has formed the basis of the constitution of almost every country of the world.

The declaration contained 30 articles. It was co – authored by john peter Humphrey of Canada, Rene Carson of France, Charles Malik of Lebanon, and Eleanor Roosevelt of USA etc.

Guinness book of records describes it as the ‘’most translated book in the world‘’.

The ugly experience of the Nazi Germany made as a result of the loopholes in the four freedoms adopted by the allies of the Second World War necessitated the declaration the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which is more potent.

The principal drafter was john peter Humphrey of Canada. The United Nations commission on human rights chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt with it representatives from various countries across the globe oversaw the preparation of the declaration.

The united nation general assembly adopted the declaration on the 10^th of December 1948 by a vote of 48 to 0 with 8 abstention.

Importance of UDHR

1. It is a standard for countries to express the basic principle and ideas that the world holds for human rights.
2. It compels governments to create national laws that protects fundamental human rights.
3. It promotes rights as part of the foundation of religion, justice and peace in the world.
4. It limits the behaviors of states
5. It imposes on the state their duties to the citizens with respect to their duties.

ASSIGNMENT:

1. Describe the UDHR.
2. Explain  four importance of the UDHR

The Meaning Of The Seven Core Freedoms Of Udhr

The seven core freedoms of the UDHR are those major rights that all members of the United Nations organization must entrench in their constitution and must be benefited by their citizens. The seven core freedoms are freedoms that cannot be taken away from any individual even in emergency situations.

The seven core freedoms are;

1. The right to life
2. Freedom from torture.
3. Freedom from enslavement and forced labor
4. Right to protection from imprisonment for debt.
5. Freedom from retroactive laws.
6. Rjght to recognition of persons before the law.
7. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Importance of fundamental human rights

1. It helps in preventing oppressive government and thereby limiting the powers of the rules.
2. It gives constitutional protection for those rights listed in it.
3. It enables citizens to seek redress for violation of their tights in the law court.
4. It encourages orderliness.
5. Peace and harmony exists in a society where people enjoy their rights.
6. The constitution is a reference point for the citizens to claim and enjoy their rights.
7. It encourages us to defend and  fight  for what is right or proper.
8. It accelerates development.
9. It helps citizens to have the knowledge of his/her rights

ASSIGNMENT:

1. Explain the seven core freedoms of UDHR.
2. State four importance of human rights.

Responsibilities of individuals in promoting the UDHR

1. Respecting others rights like John Locke said ‘’man is free but everywhere in chain’’ you may enjoy your fundamental human right to the utmost, only without infringing on others rights
2. Willingness to expose or report cases of human right abuse: individual and groups should endeavor to report cases of human rights abuse to the appropriate government agency.
3. Setting up or joining other human rights groups: individuals should engage in human rights protection.
4. Making effort to claim one’s right:  individuals should endeavor    to claim their right through appropriate channel to deter reoccurrence of such abuse.
5.  Financial support for human right abuse.

Responsibility of government in promoting the UDHR

1. Inclusion of human rights in schools’ curriculum: the introduction of human rights and ways of seeking redress when they are violated should be taught in primary and post primary schools. Students will be able to know how they can seek redress when their rights are abused.
2. The enactment of laws that establish human rights agencies: the legal aid council and national human rights commission are establishments of government to fight human right abuses.

ASSIGNMENT:

1. State three roles of individuals in promoting the UDHR.
2. Explain three roles of government in promoting the UDHR.