The definition of the term human rights is described as the essential universal entitlements afforded to all humans. These rights are the underpinning of certain principles including that of liberty, fairness and respect of human dignity. Human rights must be acknowledged and protected by government agencies to ensure that these rights are taken into account in law, the process of legislation, public policy and politics.1 However many groups within society remain marginalised and vulnerable to human rights violations. The focus issue that will be discussed in this essay is the right to liberty- to not be apprehended in arbitrary custody, which interferes with the inherent human right to liberty, and the chosen vulnerable group is asylum seekers. Due to circumstances outside of their control the persons in this group flee their homelands in an effort to escape crisis and persecution, such as religious and political persecution.2 Every human has the right of asylum, as stated in article 14 of the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights, however asylum seekers are vulnerable due to violations of their human rights. Governments around the globe including Australia have not fulfilled their legal obligations toward asylum seekers and have in fact violated human rights and specific rights of asylum seekers which have been outlined in the 1951 UN Convention in relation to status of refugees.3
Human rights are universal rights that we are entitled to. It is a freedom that is guaranteed based on the principle of respect for an individual. As mentioned in the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, human rights are a “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all member of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world” (Kent, page 80). When asked what our rights are, we tend to get different answers and meanings. Some people recite the rights that they know; but let’s face it, not everyone knows all of the rights that they truly have. The rights we have consist of many things such as the right of having an adequate food supply. The right to
In the minds of many people human rights are defined as a set of governmental Do’s and Don’ts that protect people from their governments in terms of the freedom of speech, assembly, etc. without infringement. Of course, most people would agree that these are fundamental rights and deserve to be upheld, however many feel that there are a set of universal human rights that can be used to secure the freedom of all people around the world. One such document, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights written by the United Nations, claims to be the “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations”. While I agree with most of the points made in the declaration, I simply do not believe that the human race is homogenous enough for a
Individual Rights are rights that a person has that include the freedom to think, act, work, and behave. Freedom of speech, the right to live, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and many more similar rights are rights that we have as individuals. It all started on December 10, 1948 when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted. Individual Rights provide us with freedom that cannot be interfered by no one including the government. The moral principle of the Individual Rights is “right” which symbolizing the freedom we each have. We hold the freedom of action meaning us as individuals get to do what we desire. Right shows a positive which is what we hold when we have the obligation of doing something.
It seems pretty standard that human rights should be applied, under any circumstance, to every member of the human race. Unfortunately, even in the year 2017, this is rarely always the case. There are many factors that decide whom gets treated with respect and whom is still seen as a lesser human being and more often than not the middle and lower classes in societies are left to their own devices in terms of trying to strive for equality. This notion is not only unnerving but massively disappointing in a day and age where equal rights for all humans should not only be expected but also enforced at all times no matter the given situation. “The idea that the protection of human rights knows no international boundaries and that the international community has an obligation to ensure that governments guarantee and protect human rights has gradually captured the imagination of mankind. Today violators of human rights can no longer count on one or the other superpower to shield them against international condemnation.” (Buergenthal, 1)
War affects a population in so many ways, especially It is true that some countries work very hard to provide security for their citizens; nevertheless, governments are obligated to provide their populations freedom of violence. Because millions of people die every year from war conflicts, religious persecution, and other violent related crimes, is necessary to implement human rights standards that would protect the personal integrity of every citizen, because every person deserves the right to live in peace. As stated in Rachel Diprose (2017), violence prevents communities from human freedom, and as a result, people are unable to live safely and securely. The World Report on Violence and Health (WHO, 2002) states that self-inflicted, interpersonal or collective violence kills more than 1.6 million people every year (Diprose, 2007). Governments are failing at assuring its people the right to live a dignified life; however, it is possible to accomplish human security for all with the empowerment of social, political, and economic systems.
As stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights “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” (United Nations 1948). In theory, human rights can have a universal application, as all human beings are entitled to their natural rights. However, for the rights to be successfully applicable there must be a change in greater society. One of the main barriers is the lack of cultural relativism. This results in states disagreeing with the rights that should be ratified and enforced. Another challenge is the lack of enforcement and the lack of accountability for states to give citizens their rights. As the doctrine is non-binding and exclusive towards certain cultures there is an outlook on human rights being centered towards the west. Moreover, although there is a huge movement to make human rights universally applicable there is yet to be a “model of human rights for the entire world” (Glendon 2004 pg.15).
Human Rights assumes an essential part of many individuals lives since it enables them to live free and not need to be stressed over anything. Having rights is something that makes us uncommon as human, it is something that is never going to be broken, stolen away, or lost. It is with you any and wherever you go. Human rights mean being able to hold hands with the person you love, work where you’re qualified to work without your skin color or sexual orientation being the reason you can’t; it means having the right to be human, making choices and mistakes. So, what are human rights? Human rights are the basic rights and freedom inherent to all human being, despite our nationality, sex, ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status, we are entitled to our rights without discrimination. Some consider how human rights came to be so essential to the general public we live in, and how it became a fundamental guideline.
Human rights are very important and need to be protected. Mother Jones, Cesar Chavez and William Barber fought for human rights in one way or another. Mother Jones and Cesar Chavez fought for workers rights, while William Barber fights for civil rights. All of these individuals showed courage and determination while fighting for human rights.
What can be considered as a human right? As quoted “Human rights are moral rights possessed by all human beings simply in virtue of their humanity.” Human rights are entitled to all human beings disregarding everything that divides and splits one human being from another. Things like religion and nationality can’t take away ones right to be considered a human.
What are human rights? Human rights are so basic that those who are lucky enough to have them may take them for granted. We drink clean water; have sufficient, uncontaminated food and access to good health care; are able to go to school, say or write what we think (within limits), practice our beliefs, safely earn a living and vote for a political party; and expect to be treated fairly by others. Yet not all people in the world have these basic needs met or protected. Nearly one-third of the world's population lives in poverty, without adequate food, water, education and health care. Many people are discriminated against because of their gender, race, religious beliefs or disability. Many people face unfair work practices, illegal detention, persecution, torture and death because their governments
Unquestionably, human rights correlates around the premise that globally all human beings should be treated equal through standard of equality for all. On the one hand, this is the case for most people, unfortunately on the other hand this is not the case for some people especially for the global Indigenous communities. While there are various national and international treaties and laws to protect the world Indigenous communities, according to Alexandra Xanthaki although there are three systems of International law to protect their rights including United National Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the International Labour Organization Convention Concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries (1989), all three systems provide no effective protection (Xanthaki, A, 2000 pp.344). In addition, Odette Mazel has showed that International laws especially UNDRIP, recognises the needs of Indigenous societies. Still UNDRIP has continued to challenge the capacity of human rights enterprise to cope with radical diversity (Mazel, O. 2009 pp.147). Furthermore, Mazel continues to state that it’s an impossible task to secures Indigenous people right globally has proven impossible, as there are still issues such as the need to define Indigenous people, although the Indigenous communities have constantly denied the need for a formal definition. In contrast, all people in the global community is protected under one universal declaration for their
After examining the readings, it is easy to conclude that unauthorized immigrants to the United Sates do not have enough rights. There are laws that protect migrants, such as a few that were discussed in “The Development of International Human Rights Laws” which protects individuals from torture, or enslavement; individuals also have their right of freedom of religion, along with other basic human rights that were not mentioned (Laets). However, the doctrine that was signed by the United States to protect people within its borders is still lacking in important rights that could further protect migrants from harm.
Every single human being on this planet has rights. These rights are given to us through birth, and the day I was asked, what my human rights were, I found myself speechless. I did not know how to answer the question, which at the time sounded so easy. I forgot about the question that had me so puzzled, and just brushed it off, ironically six month later I get an assignment on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. After reading this historic document, I realized how important human rights are. I believe most people take human rights for granted, we know they exist, but we don’t even know what they are
Justice can be defined as, valuing the diversity and challenging the injustice in society while human rights refer to, benefits an individual enjoys by virtual of being a human being. Justice is said to exist when all citizens share a general humanity and, therefore, experience equitable treatment, fair community resource sharing and human right support. According to justice citizens are not supposed to be discriminated, nor their well being or welfare prejudiced or constrained on the lines of gender, religion, age, belief, race, political affiliation and even sexuality.