Your Human Rights
Situation
Why aren’t Human Rights taught in schools? Why do we have a population that doesn’t know their own Human Rights?
While it is true that ignorance of the law is no defence when one breaks it, failing to teach the law is equally unacceptable.
Human rights aren’t complicated. It’s by design that many people remain unaware of them.
If human rights were taught in schools, bullying would decrease, and education would become a more positive and inclusive experience for all.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948 in response to the atrocities of World War II, particularly the Holocaust. The war highlighted the urgent need for a global framework to protect fundamental human rights and prevent future crimes against humanity.
After the war, world leaders recognised that existing national laws were insufficient to safeguard human dignity and that a universal standard was necessary. The United Nations Charter (1945) laid the groundwork, affirming the commitment to fundamental rights, but a more detailed document was needed.
In 1946, the UN Commission on Human Rights, chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt, began drafting what would become the UDHR. Representatives from various cultures, religions, and legal systems contributed to ensure the declaration was truly universal. The final document, consisting of 30 articles, outlined fundamental rights, including freedom,
equality, dignity, and justice.
Today, Human Rights Day is celebrated every 10 December, honouring the moment when the world took a stand for universal dignity, equality, and freedom.
Take a few minutes to watch the Video explaining Human Rights.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The UDHR was created to promote freedom, justice, and peace worldwide, ensuring that all people are treated with dignity and equality.
Article 1 – Right to Equality
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 – Freedom from Discrimination
Everyone is entitled to all 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 – Right to Life, Liberty, and Security
Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.
Article 4 – Freedom from Slavery
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5 – Freedom from Torture
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6 – Right to Recognition Before the Law
Everyone has the right to legal recognition as a person before the law.
Article 7 – Right to Equality Before the Law
All are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection against discrimination or incitement to discrimination.
Article 8 – Right to Legal Remedy
Everyone has the right to an effective legal remedy if their fundamental rights are violated.
Article 9 – Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile.
Article 10 – Right to a Fair Trial
Everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal.
Article 11 – Presumption of Innocence
Anyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Article 12 – Right to Privacy
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with their privacy, family, home, or correspondence, nor to attacks upon their honour and reputation.
Article 13 – Freedom of Movement
Everyone has the right to freedom of movement within their country and the right to leave any country and return.
Article 14 – Right to Seek Asylum
Everyone has the right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution in other countries.
Article 15 – Right to Nationality
Everyone has the right to a nationality, and no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of their nationality.
Article 16 – Right to Marry and Found a Family
Men and women of full age have the right to marry and start a family, with equal rights during marriage and upon its dissolution.
Article 17 – Right to Own Property
Everyone has the right to own property, alone or in association with others, and no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of their property.
Article 18 – Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the right to change their religion or belief.
Article 19 – Freedom of Expression
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the right to seek, receive, and impart information without interference.
Article 20 – Freedom of Assembly
Everyone has the right to peaceful assembly and association, and no one may be forced to belong to an association.
Article 21 – Right to Participate in Government
Everyone has the right to take part in the government of their country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
Article 22 – Right to Social Security
Everyone has the right to social security and economic, social, and cultural rights necessary for dignity and personal development.
Article 23 – Right to Work and Fair Pay
Everyone has the right to work, free choice of employment, fair wages, and equal pay for equal work, as well as the right to form trade unions.
Article 24 – Right to Rest and Leisure
Everyone has the right to rest, leisure, and reasonable working hours, including paid holidays.
Article 25 – Right to an Adequate Standard of Living
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being, including food, clothing, housing, medical care, and necessary social services.
Article 26 – Right to Education
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being, including food, clothing, housing, medical care, and necessary social services.
Article 27 – Right to Participate in Cultural Life
Everyone has the right to freely participate in cultural life, enjoy the arts, and benefit from scientific progress.
Article 28 – Right to a Just Social Order
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realised.
Article 29 – Duties to the Community
Everyone has duties to their community and must exercise their rights with respect for others and in accordance with democratic principles.
Article 30 – Freedom from State or Individual Suppression
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as granting any state, group, or person the right to engage in activities aimed at destroying any of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration.
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