Human Rights

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Preamble

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the people of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROCLAIMS THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Some important Articles from the Declaration

Article 1

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non self-governing or under any other limitations of sovereignty.

Article 9

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charges against him.

Article 11

(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to the law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.

(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

Article 13

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State.

(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Article 15

(1) Everyone has a right to a nationality.

(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

Article 18

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 25

(1) 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.

EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS as amended by Protocol No.11

The European Union, in 1998, adopted a "Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms" giving consideration to the Universal Declaration of Human rights the United Nations' General Assembly proclaimed in 1948. The EU Convention also took into consideration the aim of the Council of Europe for unity among its member governments who were signatories to the Convention, which aim was made applicable to those who later joined the Union.

The European Convention tracks, in some respects, the Constitution of the United States. For the most part, however, it was founded upon the United Nations' Universal Declaration with some exceptions relative to the member governments of the Union. The exceptions appear to generally require that any government action taken must be according to extant procedures and provisions of law.

Article 1 - Obligation to respect human rights

The High Contracting Parties shall secure to everyone within their jurisdiction the rights and freedoms defined in Section I of this Convention

Section 1 - Rights and Freedoms

This Section contains seventeen articles: Art. 2 - death penalty; Art. 3 - prohibition of torture; Art. 4 - slavery and forced labour; Art. 5 - rights to liberty and security; Art. 6 - to a fair trial; Art. 7 - no punishment without law; Art. 8 - respect for private and family life; Art. 9 - freedom of thought, conscience and religion; Art. 10 - freedom of expression: Art. 11 - freedom of assembly and association; Art. 12 - right to marry; Art. 13 - right to effective remedy; Art. 14 - prohibition of discrimination; Art. 15 - Derogation of rights in time of emergency; Art. 16 - restrictions on the political activity of aliens; Art. 17 - prohibition on the abuse of rights, and Art. 18 - Limiting the use of restrictions on rights.


FOR THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS WORLDWIDE IN PARTICULAR THOSE WHOSE RELIGION IS OF THE BOOK: Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.