NOVANEWS
by Stephen Lendman
A commonly accepted definition calls human rights basic freedoms “to which all humans are entitled, often held to include the right to life and liberty, freedom of thought and expression, and equality before the law.”
The UN said “(o)n Human Rights Day 2011, we pay tribute to all human rights defenders and ask you to get involved in the global human rights movement.”
On December 9, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay will host a live online Facebook/Twitter/Weibo (Chinese) global conversation from 9:30AM – 10:30AM EST to answer questions participants ask. They’re your rights, she says. “Know them, demand them, defend them.”
December 10 commemorates the day General Assembly members adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948.
World leaders pledged to “complement the UN Charter with a road map to guarantee the rights of every individual everywhere.”
As a result, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was discussed at the General Assembly’s first session in 1946. It submitted the UNHR to the Economic and Social Council “for reference to the Commission on Human Rights for consideration….in its preparation of an international bill of rights.”
Eleanor Roosevelt chaired the UDHR drafting committee. Seventeen other political, cultural and religious figures joined her. She perhaps was its driving force.
In September 1948, its first draft was completed. Over 50 member states participated in its final drafting. On December 10, 1948, UN Resolution 217 A (III) adopted UNHR. No members dissented. Eight abstained. Despite emerging Cold War tensions, common ground was found.
UNHR’s 30 articles pledged “to promote respect for (fundamental human) rights and freedoms….both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.”
It affirmed life, liberty, security and dignity. Said no one should be held in bondage or subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. It scorned arbitrary arrests, detention, exile, and other human rights violations.
It said everyone may leave any country and return freely. It deplored discrimination of any kind. It championed free expression, assembly, movement, thought, opinion and religion.
It said everyone has the right to work and receive equal pay for equal employment. It supported essential rights to healthcare, food, clothing, housing, and education.
It said “(n)othing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for the State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.”
World War II atrocities inspired it. The UN Charter’s Preamble vowed:
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“to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war….”
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“to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights….”
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to assure justice and international law is respected, and
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“to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom….”