Right to Life, Liberty, and Security of Person

Right to Life, Liberty, and Security of Person

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) contains 30 separate articles each addressing a specific right. This blog will focus on Article 3 which reads: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.”

Current events would make it seem like this right does not exist at all, especially for civilians in Ukraine. The truth is this human right belongs to everyone. The problem is there are not enough people who know their rights so it is difficult for them to stand up for these rights for themselves or others.

The people in charge in Russia are currently violating nearly all 30 of the UDHR articles or human rights for civilians in Ukraine. How could that be? Well, there is something called mutually assured destruction (MAD)* that is keeping freedom-loving countries from stepping in to help.

Brad Schaeffer in an article on dailywire.com said, “We are barely on the other side of the divide of the dawn of the Nuclear Age…the greatest moral challenge humankind has ever had to confront. What do I mean by this? I am not convinced that humanity has developed the moral grounding to be the wise stewards of such awesome power. There are currently over 13,000 nuclear warheads dotting the planet, and I am disconcerted by the notion that no weapons system has ever been developed that was left unused…

The great promise governing these weapons of mass destruction is that MAD (mutually assured destruction) will keep any conflicts hemmed in and local, for the risks of nuclear war in which both parties are annihilated is seen by all sides as unacceptable.”

If we had an ideal culture and a high level of ethics on this planet, something like an atomic weapon would never have been dreamed of, let alone produced! Its only purpose is to destroy lots of life—humans, plants, animals–all life over a widespread area. This could take us into a whole other level of discussion but I believe the point is made.

A few years ago, I attended a gathering with local non-profits in the Philadelphia area. One of the Organization Leaders came to me and said, if you are serious about human rights then you need to talk about atomic weapons and their threat to human rights. At the time I thought it was extreme but now in 2022, we have a Head of State threatening the use of atomic weapons and other Heads of States hesitant to get involved because of MAD. It is all MAD!! We are talking about extinction-level destruction.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights came into existence as a result of the atrocities of the Nazis and the destruction of World War II. We need to learn from History! Let’s be sure to bring these human rights to life and prevent human rights violations and anything even close to World War III from happening. I guarantee YOU will come more to life as well.

We can create an ideal culture where all life thrives!

To learn your 30 human rights, take a free online course here: https://www.humanrights.com/course/

March 1st is Zero Discrimination Day

March 1st is Zero Discrimination Day

Zero Discrimination Day is a day that is observed annually on March 1st. This holiday was created by the United Nations in 2014 to promote equality throughout the world.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) contains 30 separate articles each addressing a specific right. Article 2 addresses zero discrimination and reads: “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 limitation of sovereignty.”

No one should be discriminated against for any reason on any day. However, statistics show discrimination remains prevalent in many areas. When a person is discriminated against, he or she receives different treatment because of their category or group. The person is not seen based on individual merit but based on some category, class, or group bias.

According to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, job applicants with African American names have to apply to 50 percent more jobs to get a callback. According to the United States Sentencing Commission, Black men receive sentences that are on average 20 percent greater than white men for the same or similar crimes. source: theodysseyonline.com/7-statistics-that-will-change-view-racism

Stark gender disparities remain in economic and political realms. While there has been some progress over the decades, on average women in the labor market still earn 20 percent less than men globally. As of 2021, only 25 percent of all national parliamentarians were female, a slow rise from 11.3 percent in 1995. source: un.org/en/global-issues/gender-equality

The U.S. Department of Labor enforces roughly 180 laws designed to safeguard workers from discrimination and bias, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission facilitates additional layers of protection for the same purpose. Still, more than 1.8 million cases have been filed with the EEOC in the last two decades. There’s been no major decrease in the total number of discrimination complaints reported to the EEOC since 1997. source: paychex.com/articles/human-resources/eeoc-workplace-discrimination-enforcement-and-litigation

What can you do?

You can practice this particular human right in your daily life by treating all people with respect and dignity. File the appropriate reports if you observe discrimination in your workplace or groups.

And of course, know all 30 of your human rights and educate others to do the same. To get your free human rights educational materials visit: https://www.youthforhumanrights.org/educators/education-package-details.html

 

Definitions from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

Declaration: the act of declaring; Announcement – a written or spoken statement that tells people about something

Distinction: the act of perceiving someone or something as being not the same and often treating as separate or different

Entitled: having a right to certain benefits or privileges

Everyone: every person, all

Jurisdictional: the authority of a sovereign power to govern or legislate

Rights: the power or privilege to which one is justly entitled

Sovereignty: a country’s independent authority and right to govern itself

Discrimination,Mind,Map,Flowchart,,Social,Concept,For,Presentations,And,Reports
Act Towards One Another in a Spirit of Brotherhood

Act Towards One Another in a Spirit of Brotherhood

The United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) contains 30 separate articles each addressing a specific right that we all have. Article 1 reads: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and in rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

These are beautiful words and most people would probably agree that We should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Unfortunately, statistics show we are not doing so well in this regard.

Global Estimates on Modern Slavery in 2017, showed on any given day there were likely to be more than 40 million men, women, and children who were being forced to work against their will under threat or who were living in a forced marriage that they had not agreed to, [not to mention sex trafficking.] source: un.org/en/academic-impact/fighting-modern-slavery-through-awareness-and-training

Today, there are thousands of victims of terrorism and their families scattered in all regions of the world, struggling in their solitude with the scars of trauma and injury. source: un.org/victimsofterrorism/en/about/messages-un-victims-terrorism

According to the most recent estimates, 10 percent of the world’s population or 734 million people lived on less than $1.90 a day. source: un.org/en/global-issues/ending-poverty

In contemporary conflicts, up to 90 percent of casualties are civilians, mostly women, and children. Women in war-torn societies can face devastating forms of sexual violence. source: un.org/en/global-issues/peace-and-security

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent, and devastating human rights violations in our world today.

  • 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence.
  • Women and girls are disproportionately subjected to violence, including femicide, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, trafficking, and harmful practices.

source: un.org/en/spotlight-initiative/index.shtml

While these statistics are alarming, they are used to illustrate that we have far to go for all humankind to act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood. Members of our human family are living in horrific conditions every day. Their human rights and dignity are violated with indiscriminate violence. It is simply not ok!

What can you do?

First, know that you can make a difference and that your actions matter. Practice this particular human right in your daily life by how you interact with and treat every person you meet. And of course, know all 30 of your human rights and educate others to do the same.

For a free online course, visit: https://www.youthforhumanrights.org/course

 

Definitions from: www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/

All: every member, the whole amount, everybody, everything

Human Beings: person: a man, woman or child

Free: not subject to the control or domination of another

Equal: like for each member of a group, class, or society

Dignity: the quality of being worthy of honor or respect

Rights: the power or privilege to which one is justly entitled

Endowed: to provide with something freely or naturally

Reason: the power of the mind to think and understand in a logical way

Conscience: a faculty, power, or principle enjoining good acts; the part of the mind that makes you aware of your actions as being morally right or wrong

Spirit: the activating or essential principle influencing a person

Brotherhood: fellowship (quality or state of being comradely); alliance (an association to further the common interests of the members

Education is a Human Right

Education is a Human Right

In 2018, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming January 24 as International Day of Education. Education is essential for both lifting people out of poverty and unlocking each person’s full potential.

Article 26 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights reads:

    • “Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
    • Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
    • Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.”

This is something that can and should be done in the education systems in our countries. Teachers need to be given the tools and bandwidth to make it happen. However, that has not yet occurred everywhere for everyone. Therefore, citizens of Earth—you and me–have the responsibility and power to make sure all people are educated on their human rights and are directed towards the full development of their personality and achieving their full potential.

According to UN statistics, “about 258 million children and adolescents around the world do not have the opportunity to enter or complete school; 617 million children and adolescents cannot read and do basic math; less than 40% of sub-Saharan Africa complete lower secondary school and some four million children and youth refugees are out of school. Their right to education is being violated and it is unacceptable.” https://www.un.org/en/observances/education-day

Those are statistics relating to part one of this article and they are pretty bleak. I do not know of any stats currently measuring parts 2 and 3 but I’d guess they are even lower. I wish someone had worked with me to fully develop my personality and potential. It is something I’ve had to do on my own and still have not fully achieved. How about you? Are you fulfilling your potential and purpose?

Part 3 of this article having to do with Parental Rights is something that needs to be fought for even in countries like the United States.

One of the keys to making this human right a reality is knowing that it exists. United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) have taken on that responsibility by providing free educational materials to teachers and educators. https://www.youthforhumanrights.org/request-info/educators-kit.html

If you would like more information on how to help make this human right a reality for yourself and others, email: humanrightse2a@gmail.com.

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Coalition defines Human Trafficking as the recruitment, transport, sale, or receipt of persons within or across national borders through force, fraud, or coercion to place the persons in slavery or slavery-like work conditions. Traffickers use violence, threats, blackmail, false promises, deception, manipulation, and debt bondage to trap vulnerable individuals in horrific situations. https://patcoalition.org/

In short, it is slave trading and is a horrific crime and violation of human rights where a person is exploited into slave labor or sexual exploitation. It is also considered a hidden crime because victims frequently do not seek help due to language barriers, fear of their traffickers, or fear of law enforcement.

Article 4 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.” NO ONE, not one person. One person is too many.

“A common misconception about human trafficking is that it does not happen in the United States. This is false, as the United States is ranked as one of the worst countries globally for human trafficking. It is estimated that 199,000 incidents occur within the United States every year.” https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/human-trafficking-statistics-by-state

One of the most descriptive, true stories I’ve found on the topic of sex trafficking is a book titled “I Am not Your Slave” by Chris Lockhart and Tupa Tjipombo. Tupa Tjipombo is the pseudonym of a Nambian woman from South Africa who was trafficked by an evil network across the continent of Africa up to the United Arab Emirates into the hands of a “collector”.

Tjipombo thought that putting the descriptive truth out for people to read would be much more impactful towards eliminating this horrific crime than just a statistic on a page. In my opinion, she was correct. Her story was very difficult to confront and believe that this type of evil exists in our world today. It definitely inspires a person into action! Her perpetrators included individuals from various countries including the United States of America where slavery was “abolished” in 1865. You can find a full interview with Lockhart and Tjipombo here: https://www.thefirestone.org/2020/07/20/we-touch-the-world-and-the-world-touches-us/

Another form of human trafficking is labor trafficking and debt bondage. Harold D’Souza, founder of Eyes Open International, has dedicated his life to ending this modern-day slavery because he knows how much the victims suffer–he once was one.

Originally from India, D’Souza is well-educated and experienced in sales management. He has a Bachelor’s in Business and a Master of Commerce from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. Harold stepped down from a senior management position in order to pursue the American Dream which he believed was within his reach. Harold came to the U.S. following the advice and encouragement of a man who would soon after becoming his trafficker. For over 18 months, Harold was exploited and tortured at the hands of the human trafficker, losing his freedom and struggling to keep his family safe.

D’Souza is an example of turning obstacles into opportunities. United States President Barack Obama appointed him to the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking in 2015 and he continued his service under President Trump through July 2020. D’Souza is also an expert consultant to the Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. To listen to more of his story, click here: https://www.thefirestone.org/the-podcasts/  scroll to Episode 13.

There is currently a Bollywood Blockbuster Film being made on D’Souza’s slavery nightmare. Actor Martin Sheen is the Executive Producer of the documentary titled “To Be Free” which is produced and directed by Benjamin Ryan Nathan.

Tjipombo and D’Souza are true Human Rights Heroes! Their strength, courage, fight for freedom and pure greatness are an inspiration for all human beings. Let’s join together with these heroes and put an END to the atrocity of modern-day slavery.

 

What can you do about it?

 If you suspect someone may be a victim of human trafficking in the US, call the National Hotline immediately: 1-888-373-7888.

Another action you can take is to visit the US Department of State’s website for 20 ways you can help fight human trafficking. https://www.state.gov/20-ways-you-can-help-fight-human-trafficking/

For information on how to educate others on this and all their 30 human rights along with suggestions for taking action, click here: https://www.humanrights.com/take-action/get-active.html