Human Rights

On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."

HUMAN RIGHTS

Societies have located the beginnings of human rights in religious documents. The Vedas, the Bible, the Qur'an and the Analects of Confucius are some of the oldest written sources which address questions of people’s duties, rights, and responsibilities.

Several theoretical approaches have been advanced to explain how human rights become part of social expectations. The biological theory , natural law theories and an "interests theory" defense of human rights.

Ultimately, the term "human rights" is often itself an appeal to a transcendent principle, not based on existing legal concepts. The term "humanism" refers to the developing doctrine of such universally applicable values. The term "human rights" has replaced the term "natural rights" in popularity, because the rights are less and less frequently seen as requiring natural law for their existence.

VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Human rights Violation is abuse of people in a way that it abuses any fundamental human rights. It is a term used when a government violates national or international law related to the protection of human rights.

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, fundamental human rights are violated when, among other things:

* A certain race, creed, or group is denied recognition as a "person". (Articles 2 & 6)

* Men and women are not treated as equal. (Article 2)

* Different racial or religious groups are not treated as equal. (Article 2)

* Life, liberty or security of person are threatened. (Article 3)

* A person is sold as or used as a slave. (Article 4)

* Cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment is used on a person (such as torture or     execution). (Article 5) (See also Prisoners' rights)

* Victims of abuse are denied an effective judicial remedy. (Article 8)

* Punishments are dealt arbitrarily or unilaterally, without a proper and fair trial. (Article 11)

* Arbitrary interference into personal, or private lives by agents of the state. (Article 12)

* Citizens are forbidden to leave or return to their country. (Article 13)

* Freedom of speech or religion are denied. (Articles 18 & 19)

* The right to join a trade union is denied. (Article 23)

* Education is denied. (Article 26)

Click for Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Human Rights University of Stanford