Human Rights: We Still Have A Ways To Go

We Still Have A Ways To Go

By: Shannon Mouton

At the birth of a nation, over 235 years ago, Thomas Jefferson penned these famous words in response to the tyranny of British Empire.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

The General Congress of the United State of America signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

After the Second World War, 172 years later, the Commission on Human Rights presented international bill of human rights to the UN for approval.

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…

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…

Article 3. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6. Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

The United Nations General Assembly formally adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948.

As a country founded on “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” and had a leading role in the “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights” of all people, are we practicing what we preach?

To learn more about International Human Rights Day visit: http://www.celebratehumanrights.org/