North Korea's Abuses as told by Yoenmi Park

Yoenmi speaking on her experience (x)

The One Young World Summit of 2014 was held in Dublin, Ireland and concluded on October 18th. The Summit claims is "gathers the brightest young leaders from around the world, empowering them to make lasting connections and develop solutions to some of the world's most pressing issues." One particularly bright young woman, Yeonmi Park, told the powerful and harrowing tale of her heart-breaking upbringing in North Korea. The young activist is spreading awareness about the egregious human rights violations by the dictator Kim Jong un's Workers’ Party. Her opening reads: "North Korea is an unnatural country. There is only one channel on TV and there is no internet. We aren't free to sing, say, wear or think what we want. North Korea is the only country in the world that executes people for making unauthorized international phone calls. North Koreans are being terrorized today." The nation is known to conduct public executions,  practice strict censorship, torture criminals and refuse free passage across borders. Yoenmi Park wanted to draw attention to the suffering of North Korean refugees, having been smuggled into China in 2007. Park stated that among many courses of action she'd like to focus on three things. Her instructions for fellow delegates were as follows:  "raise awareness about human crisis in North Korea," "help and support North Korean refugees who are trying to escape for freedom" and "petition China to stop repatriation." 

As illustrated in Yoenmi's speech, North Korea is actively violated Articles 11 through 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The articles outline that "Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty," "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence," "Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. "Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution."

Sources

Escaping North Korea in Search of Freedom

How I escaped horrors of life under Kim Jong il

Ferguson a use of Lethal Force

A memorial to Micheal Brown (x)

On August 9th, two young men were walking the streets of suburban Ferguson, Missouri when they were approached by officer Darren Wilson. The moments following this meeting led to the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown. Brown, a black high school graduate, was shot by white Ferguson police officer Wilson. Circumstances of the shooting have been debated but ultimately Brown was hit by seven bullets from the front and seemingly was kneeling with his hands raised after the first blow to his back, calling out "I don't have a gun. Stop shooting!" Protests and riots erupted in Ferguson after the news of Michael’s death was released and upon knowledge that Brown's body was left for four hours on the busy street. The controversy continued with St. Louis' brutal and militarized response to the civil disobedience, involving tear-gas, excessive physical force and many arrests. Indignation was again induced after the anticipated announcement of Wilson's grand jury hearing. Wilson was not indicted and would face no charges, despite a clear usage of illegal lethal force and instances of tampering with evidence. This instance has rocked the nation and the world, inciting a conversation on race and police brutality in America. Currently, the FBI is looking into civil rights charges against Wilson and an assessment of the Ferguson Police Department.

The lack of an indictment, though deeply disappointing and infuriating, is not much of a surprise considering the astounding lack of retribution for police personnel. Data on fatalities by police force is inadequate and not federally regulated. An LA Times study of 2005 found that in the force only "3 out of 314 cases of alleged excessive force in the prior four years led to criminal charges." It's also a sad fact that black American men are much more likely to be killed during police interactions, for ProPublica reported that “The 1,217 deadly police shootings from 2010 to 2012 captured in the federal data show that blacks, age 15 to 19, were killed at a rate of 31.17 per million, while just 1.47 per million white males in that age range died at the hands of police." 

Darren Wilson has violated the 10th Article within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which reads: "Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him." Brown committed no crime and was not given an opportunity to defend himself in a court of law for Wilson instigated his own version of the death penalty. 

Sources

Police Are Almost Never Indicted

What we known about Michael Brown's shooting

Ferguson Grand Jury Does Not Charge Darren Wilson

Black teens 21 times more likely to be shot by the cops

Indonesian Police's Discriminatory Tests

A cadet telling her application tale (x)

Female police cadets in Indonesia must jump through the standard hoops of becoming an official officer, but unlike their male counterparts they must pass a particularly unscrupulous margin. Applicants report having to undergo a painful virginity test in order to be placed on the force. Indonesia's Chief Police Regulation No. 5/2009 requires that all women in training must first fulfill an “obstetrics and gynecology” exam to gauge their physical health. In 2010, the head of police personnel decreed that virginity testing would be abolished but this prerequisite is still mentioned on the official police recruitment site, and policewomen widely report having had to withstand the traumatic test.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which has been ratified by Indonesia, states that “virginity tests" are "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment." The ICCPR  denounces this practice so as “to protect both the dignity and the physical and mental integrity of the individual.” It can also be said of this practice that "Because men are not subjected to virginity testing, the practice constitutes discrimination against women as it has the effect or purpose of denying women on a basis of equality with men the right to work as police officers." These notions resemble those in Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that finds "Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment," and is augmented by the caveat in Article 2 which states that "Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as...sex."

Sources

Indonesia: Virginity Tests for Female Police

Tanzania to evict the Masai

Two Masai members herding cattle (x)

It was last spring that Prime Minister of Tanzania Mizengo Pinda was able to dismiss a proposal that limited pasture of the native Masai people. Unfortunately, officials are once again attempting to instate this harmful policy. If the proposal is approved a piece of land bordering the Serengeti national park will be utilized as a “wildlife corridor.” The 1,500 sq km area will be sold to the Ortelo Business Corporation and be used for safaris and commercial hunting. The corridor falls on the Loliondo district and local people estimate it will "directly or indirectly affect the livelihoods of 80,000 people" and surely evict 30,000. These people being the Masai whose pastoral and nomadic life will be compromised if they lose this essential grazing land. Tanzanian government asks the Masai to be out before the year's end and has offered compensation of 1 billion shillings to be funneled into socio-economic development projects. There is no payback for the destruction of ancestral heritage, particularly of a people where 90% rely on cattle for an income that allows them to afford food, clothes, and school fees. Masai members who partake in this anti-corridor activism have reported threats to their life by potential government personnel. 

The Tanzanian government is in clear violation of the rights of it's people. Looking to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights it is evident that Article 17 has been overlooked for it states that "Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others" and "No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property." 

Sources

Tanzania accused of backtracking

Will Tanzania sell Masai homelands?

Ensuring Marriage Equality

The World's Worst Places to Be Gay (x)

Takepart has created the above info-graphic outlining the "World's Worst Places to Be Gay." Of 196 nations on the planet, 79 have deemed homosexuality illegal. The scope of how states treat same-gender relations is varied. Some governments posses laws that are discriminatory and limiting whereas other nation's policies can seriously endanger their LGBT citizens. The map depicts four types of treatments by the state and these include: "Red: Countries where homosexuality can lead to imprisonment," "Yellow: Countries where there are some anti-gay laws that don't allow same-sex marriage," "Green: Countries that have a type of legal marriage, union or partnership. In some places it's recognize but not performed" and "Countries where same-sex marriage is legal." A red nation would be Nigeria for in some regions a person who is found to engage in same-sex relations can be stoned to death. A less extreme version of this queerphobic injustice would be in a yellow nation like Chile where civil unions are accepted but same-sex couples cannot adopt children or in the green area of the United States where some states don't recognize same-sex marriages and couples can't receive tax benefits.  Takepart quotes Kaleidoscope Trust's Alistair Stewart who finds “The struggle for even basic human rights for LGBT people—freedom of association, freedom from violence—becomes harder to achieve when the opponents can point to something like gay marriage…and make the argument that ‘if we give these people even the most basic of human rights, next they’ll be asking to get married in our churches."

 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights indirectly addresses queer individuals in Articles 2 and 16 which state "Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind" and "Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution."

Sources

The World's Worst Places to Be Gay

Burkina Faso: Power to the People

Burkina Faso residents march through Ouagadouga with spatulas (x)

Blaise Compaore had been President of Burkina Faso for nearly 27 years when the former military leader decided to extend him term. Residents of the African nation took to the streets of Ouagadougou, the capital, to defy this potential parliamentary measure. The unrest was violent and involved protesting at governmental edifices, setting fire to parliament and ransacking local television. Parliament dissolved on Thursday, October 30th and Compaore resigned. Under marital law Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida took power, despite backlash from citizens. Burkina Faso is now facing pressure to return to civilian rule or face sanctions by the African Union and other Western allies. A charter was created that outlines a 90-member parliament, and proposes a special college to elect a transitional president. Talks between Zida and opposition leaders produced this interim government whereas military officials and Compaore's political allies were not permitted to take part. Presidential and legislative elections are expected to take place in 2015.

 This shake up of Burkina Faso governance is demonstrative of Article 21 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 21 outlines the tenets of civilian rule such as "Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives," and "The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures."

Sources

Protests force out Burkina president

Burkina Faso talks

Children in Poverty Increases

UNICEF's Report Card Banner (x)

UNICEF, the branch of the United Nations concerned with the welfare of children, released a report October 28th relating to child poverty. The press release, an Innocenti Report entitled "Card 12, Children of the Recession," found that since 2008 more than 2.6 million children entered poverty than left poverty. Researchers looked at levels of child poverty and the population of NEET (not in education, employment or training) children ages 15 to 24. Fourty one countries were ranked and "a majority...pivoted sharply from budget stimulus to budget cuts, with negative impact on children." UNICEF faults a decrease in household income and a lack of social protection policies during the Great Recession for this rise in impoverished youth.

Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights illustrates the necessity to prevent unfortunate trends such as this. The statement attests that "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services" and contends that "Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance."

Sources
Unicef Press Release

Protests in Mexico over a Crime of State

Murillo's comment re-framed to read "I'm tired of fear" painted on a city street (x)

On Friday November 7th, Mexico's Attorney General Jesús Murillo held a press conference on the recent massacre held in the town of Cocula, a province of Iguala. Murillo revealed that authorities have uncovered 38 bodies from a cluster of mass graves and have identified four as disappeared persons last seen at checkpoints set up by Guerreros Unidos, a drug gang that has infiltrated municipal police. The incident unfolded on September 26th when the 43 student-teachers arrived in Iguala to obtain buses for an upcoming protest. The victims were attacked by the gang-led local police, shot, killed, and burned in a rubbish dump. Arrested gang members have admitted to participating in the massacre. Protests in the nation, both peaceful and violent, grew exponentially larger with this recent conference and citizens have taken to the streets with "Ya me cansé" (I’m tired, or I've had enough) as their rallying cry, a reference to Murillo's exasperated parting words. The Guardian reports: "The phrase ["Ya me cansé"] has been turned on its head to express public exhaustion with both the violence that has taken hold in many parts of Mexico, where organised criminal activity is protected by corrupt authorities, as well as the federal government’s failure to act against it, which many believe underpins the events in Iguala."

It is evident that this incident is an abhorrent state crime. Articles 3, 5 and 6 of the Declaration of Human Rights have been grossly violated. Mexican governance has not guaranteed "the right to life, liberty and security of person," that "no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." and has not ensured "Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law."

Sources

Mexico: Protests at Admission
"I've Had Enough"

Hong Kong and the struggle for Democracy

A Hong Kong protester (x)

In 1970 Hong Kong was relinquished from British oversight and established as a Special Administrative Region within the People's Republic of China. This region was and allowed a level of autonomy not seen in mainland China and was set out to operate under a "one country, two systems" rule. This path moth has proved very difficult for these two systems. Hong Kong authorities announced new limitations on chief executive candidates for 2017 , essentially stating that leaders must be Beijing-approved. Protests broke out in this financial hub and have been dubbed the Occupy Central with Love and Peace by the pro-democracy groups and students that have amassed to demand change from their government. Protesters have tirelessly camped out in busy city streets despite violent police reactions. Last night a meeting was held between activists and government representatives. Students demanded true democracy while officials lamented that Beijing holds a level of constitutional authority. Articles 19 (freedom of the press), 20 (freedom of assembly) and 21 (freedom to take part in a government with genuine elections) define the necessity of these movements. Beijing has violated these rights with the censoring of social media, harm of non-violent protesters and initial tampering of democracy. 

Sources
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Hong Kong's Protests are a Big Deal
The Hong Kong government-protestor Sit-down

Nobel Laureates and Their Impact: Kailash

Photo by Made in a Free World (x)

Kailash Satyarthi began his crusade for children's rights over 30 years ago by raiding Indian manufacturing plants that condoned bonded labor and the use of child workers. In 1980 Styarthi created the Bachpan Bachao Andolan or Save the Childhood Movement, an organization that rescues children from trafficking and modern-day slavery, returns them to society and provides them with education options. The group also seeks to end child labor through limiting the purchase of products made by these bonded children. Similarly this activist has also founded RugMark which encourages the purchase of carpets made in factories that are sans child labor. Satyarthi is also a founding member of the Global March Against Child Labor which spans 103 counties. His impact on his homeland of Indian is evident in the work of the BBA which has produced an estimated 317 Bil Mitra Gram, or child-friendly villages, that prohibit child labor and child marriage and allow women and teens to take part in the governance of the community.
 Less than a week ago, Kailash Satyarthi was awarded one of two Nobel Peace Prizes. Satyarthi spoke on his achievement “It was a passion from my childhood to work for children...I have been very strongly advocating that poverty must not be used as an excuse to continue child labor. It perpetuates poverty. If children are deprived of education, they remain poor.”

Sources
Kailash Satyarthi's Crusade to Save Childhood
Kailash Satyarthi's Child-friendly Villages

Nobel Laureates and Their Impact: Malala

Photo by Glamour Magazine (x)

In 2012 Malala Yousafzai was campaigning for accessible education under Taliban occupation. She had created a blog to get out the message of the jihadist group's influence in her homeland of Swat Valley, Pakistan. It was October when tragedy stuck and Yousafzai was shot in the head by the jihadist group after trying to attend school during a ban on girl's learning. Following this assasination attempt, Malala has been outspoken in her international advocacy of education in safe and quality environments through public speaking and her memoir I Am Malala. Pakistani protests have led to the first Right to Education Bill in Pakistan. Malala has receieved a plethora of accolades for her brave service. 
Two years have passed since the incident that incited Malala's established activism and she has been chosen as one of two Nobel Peace Prize winners. This laureate stands for children suffering in areas of conflict and for girls faced with adversity. Free, compulsory education that provides equal opportunity to both genders and isn't impeded upon by government forces or armed groups is an international goal that all can stand behind. This sentiment is expressed in Article 28 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon stated the UN's support of this advocate in a statement that read "The United Nations will continue to stand with her against extremism and for the right of girls everywhere to be free of violence, to go to school and to enjoy their right to an education.” 

Source
Nobel Peace Prize a Victory for Education
Nobel Peace Prize to children's rights activists
Malala Yousafzai

The Effects of ISIL

The jihadist group known as IS has been wreaking havoc on Iraq and the Levant. Their acts of terror seek to kill off all apostates and create a homogeneous empire. The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights have issued a report on the varied human rights abuses committed by this group as well as the associated forces that are battling them. The report details the violations which include "attacks directly targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, executions and other targeted killings of civilians, abductions, rape and other forms of sexual and physical violence perpetrated against women and children, forced recruitment of children, destruction or desecration of places of religious or cultural significance, wanton destruction and looting of property, and denial of fundamental freedoms." ISIL's tirade has murdered many, displaced thousands and terrified the international community, but the abuses deeply effect certain ethnic and religious groups that are being targeted like the Turkmen, Shabak, Christians, Yezidi, Sabaeans, Kaka’e, Faili Kurds, and Arab Shi’a. 

Sources
Gross Human Rights Abuses in Iraq

Tobacco Group Adopts Child Labor Protections

The Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina recently announced a new policy in regards to limiting child labor. The Association asserts that "children under 16 should not be hired to work on tobacco farms, even with parental permission." This differs from the current United States labor legislation that accepts children to work on tobacco farms at the age 12 with parental permission. Earlier this year a report was released that proved hazardous conditions of child labor on tobacco farms in North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. The report depicted cases of working children suffering from symptoms of nicotine poisoning and found incidences of overwork in poor conditions like "extreme heat without shade or sufficient breaks, and no...protective gear." US law also deems it acceptable to have 16-year-olds doing hazardous work (like that which involves direct contact with tobacco) whilst on tobacco farms. This improvement in governmental policy is a reflective of Articles 23 and 24 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The included rights are "the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment" and "reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay."

Sources
Tobacco Group Adopts Child Labor Protections
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Effects of Israeli Force

A sign of Spanish origin advocating for Gaza freedom (x)

In June of 2014, three Israeli teens were kidnapped in the West Bank and the government of Israel took to blaming Hamas (current sources find it was the actions of Qawasameh). The Israeli Defense Forces began an initiative of searching and arresting Hamas leaders (known as Operation Brother's Keeper) and then instated Operation Protective Edge, which involved weeks of bombarding Palestine. The war lasted 50 days and has since reached a ceasefire but the after-effects of this combat have been devastating. Makarim Wibisono, a Palestinian- based human rights watchdog has published results on the experience of Gaza residents. The excessive Israeli force has left 1,479 civilians dead and 11,231 injured. Wibisono stressed the impact this action has caused on children and found wide-spread evidence of trauma, not to mention the 228 schools damaged, 60,000 civilians living in shelters and the critical shortage of medical resources. Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, spoke of the events as a "genocide" and "accused Israel of planning 'ghettos for Palestinians on fragmented land, without borders and without sovereignty over its airspace, water and natural resources, which will be under the subjugation of the racist settlers and army of occupation, and at worst will be a most abhorrent form of apartheid.'" Many countered that this language was harsh and unhelpful. Wibisono comments that “Israel’s claim of self-defense against an occupied population living under a blockade considered to be illegal under international law is untenable."

Sources

Mahmoud Abbas calls on UN

Not a single child untouched

2014 Israel-Gaza Conflict

Asylum-seeker Numbers are Rising

The UNHCR Logo (x)

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has reported a spike in asylum-seeking persons. The rise is in the "total number of people requesting refugee status" and from January to June of this year the amount was about 330,700 people. This is a 24% an increase from the same six-month period of last year. The requests are concentrated in five nations, the most populous being Germany, then United States, France, Sweden and Turkey. The top countries to contribute to the refugee influx reads Syria,  Iraq, Afghanistan, and Eritrea. The origin of these claims come from countries with oppressive regimes that endanger it's citizens. In 2013 612,700 asylum applications were sent to 44 countries and the UNCHR estimates that by the end of 2014 these nations will have amassed 700,000 people. This report reflects the implementation of two articles within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 13 states that persons have the right to "leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country" while Article 14 finds that "Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution."

Sources

Asylum-seeker numbers rise by a quarter

Indigenous Peoples World Conference

The WCIP logo (x)

Today kicked off the first-ever two day United Nations event known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. The UN site describes this conference as "an opportunity to share perspectives and best practices on the realization of the rights of indigenous peoples, including pursuing the objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples" and will consist of  "two plenary meetings, three interactive round-table discussions and one interactive panel discussion." The Declaration, adopted in September of 2007, sets out to protect the right of indigenous peoples and allow them autonomy in maintaining their cultures and pursing their aspirations. UNDRIP deals with a plethora of issues specific to indigenous people such as discrimination, employment, health, education, participation in government, development, multicultural democracy, decentralization and tribal lands. The Declaration, like the Conference, asks that national governments work alongside natives. 

Sources
Indigenous Peoples World Conference
The World Conference on Indigenous Peoples

The People's Climate March

People's Climate marcher (x)

The People's Climate March was held in New York City on Sunday morning and amassed an estimated 400,000 people. The March sought to bring attention to the issue of climate crisis and highlighted the United Nations Climate Summit happening today. One hundred and twenty world leaders will convene at the headquarters and discuss necessary environmental action, particularly those having to do with carbon pollution. The march stretched four miles and represented over 1,500 groups and an array of universities. This call to arms was not just exclusive to NYC. One hundred and sixty six other nations held a total of about 2,700 events featuring at least 270,000 participants worldwide. Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights begins with "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family." Environmentalist issues are human rights issues for an unhealthy planet creates an unhealthy population and our governance cannot allow widespread destruction of our environment.

Sources

Thousands Turn Out for People's Climate March

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Thailand Limits Free Speech

A Thai protester (x) 

In May of 2014 the military of Thailand staged a coup and put army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha into power as the Prime Minister. In recent weeks government officials have taken to silencing the academic circles of the nation. Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order banned discussion on topics relating to democracy and human rights. The NCPO has taken action to silence activist groups and places of education. Police have ended two separate seminars at Thammasat University, the first being entitled “Democracy Classroom” which discusses ending dictatorships, and the second being a seminar on Thailand's constitution. The crackdown on political activism includes the shutdown of a panel discussion “Access to Justice in Thailand: Currently Unavailable” staged in Bangkok and a closing of the Thai Amnesty International campaign for peace in Gaza. Articles 19, 20 and 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights pertain specifically to these occurrences in Thailand. The listed rights include the "freedom of opinion and expression without interference," the "freedom of peaceful assembly and association" and "the right to education...to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms."

Sources
Thailand Cracks Down on Academic Freedom
Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Disarmament for Development

An art piece titled "Bread Not Bombs" (x)

As most human rights advocates know, protecting people and furthering the causes of equality can be a pricey endeavor but there is no nobler cause than contributing to aiding the planet. A United Nations expert, Alfred de Zayas, called onto Governments to re-prioritize their budgets and reevaluate their allotted military funds. His proposal finds that if a military budget is reduced than more funds can be allocated "into education, health care, the creation of employment in peaceful industries, strengthening of the rule of law and administration of justice" and others necessary endeavors. If nations chose to disarm then they could turn to development and healing their economies. De Zayas also stated “It is time to reduce the spiral of military expenditures and to invest in research into the root causes of conflicts and in the development of strategies of conflict-prevention and resolution." Zayas also finds reports on government expenditures to be woefully inaccurate, misleading or simply unavailable. Corruption can be lessened if budgets are more transparent. This issue of military over-spending pertains many of the articles of the Declaration of Human Rights, particularly those concerning aid. Three strike me as especially applicable, those being 19, 22 and 25 which can be read here.

Sources

Disarmament for Development

Saudi Arabia Must Cease Use of Death Penalty

An anti-death penalty banner (x)

United Nations sources estimate that 45 people have been executed in Saudi Arabia thus far this year. Independent experts of the UN have called upon Saudi governance to end the senseless beheadings. The execution typically follows a confession gained through torture of a defendant that was not allotted a lawyer. These instances specifically violate the 5th and 7th articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which state "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" and "Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law," respectively. These executions are a result of violent crimes but also include punishment for acts such as drug-smuggling, sorcery, adultery and apostasy.

Sources
UN urges Saudi Arabia to halt executions
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Guyana Marks Persons with Disabilities Milestone

The CRPD logo (x) 

On the third of May, 2008, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was made effective by the United Nations. This international human rights treaty "reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms" (un.org). This treaty coincides with many aspects of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, too many to name. Just today, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana made the decision to ratify this treaty. This sanctioning of the Convention was deemed a "major milestone" by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in that Guyana marks the 150th ratification. This treaty is essential to ensuring the validity of the Declaration of Human Rights for "persons with disabilities are also disproportionately represented among the world’s poorest, and lack equal access to basic resources such as education, employment, healthcare and legal support systems." The UN General Assembly hopes to "ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy the same human rights as everyone else," and "the treaty sets out the obligations of States Parties to promote, protect and ensure the rights of all people with disabilities and promotes equal rights in all areas of life." (un.org).

Sources
UN hails ratification as ‘major milestone’
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The Declaration: Part 2

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a document consisting of a Preamble and thirty articles. The first line of the Preamble states that there will be "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," and thus the document goes on to state all of the inalienable rights of the members of this planet. For the purposes of this post I will utilize the second half of Human Rights Education Associates' simplified version of the Declaration. 

The second half of the (simplified) thirty articles of the Declaration are: 

16. Everyone has the right to marry and have a family.

17. Everyone has the right to own property and possessions.

18. Everyone has the right to practice and observe all aspects of their own religion and change their religion if they want to.

19. Everyone has the right to say what they think and to give and receive information.

20. Everyone has the right to take part in meetings and to join associations in a peaceful way.

21. Everyone has the right to help choose and take part in the government of their country.

22. Everyone has the right to social security and to opportunities to develop their skills.

23. Everyone has the right to work for a fair wage in a safe environment and to join a trade union.

24. Everyone has the right to rest and leisure.

25. Everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living and medical help if they are ill.

26. Everyone has the right to go to school.

27. Everyone has the right to share in their community's cultural life.

28. Everyone must respect the 'social order' that is necessary for all these rights to be available.

29. Everyone must respect the rights of others, the community and public property.

30. No one has the right to take away any of the rights in this declaration.

Sources

The full text of the Declaration can be read here: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The simplified version is found here: Simplified Version

The Declaration: Part 1

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a document consisting of a Preamble and thirty articles. The first line of the Preamble states that there will be "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," and thus the document goes on to state all of the inalienable rights of the members of this planet. For the purposes of this post I will utilize half of Human Rights Education Associates' simplified version of the Declaration. 

The first (simplified) fifteen articles of the Declaration are: 

1. Everyone is free and we should all be treated in the same way.

2. Everyone is equal despite differences in skin colour, sex, religion, language for example.

3. Everyone has the right to life and to live in freedom and safety.

4. No one has the right to treat you as a slave nor should you make anyone your slave.

5. No one has the right to hurt you or to torture you.

6. Everyone has the right to be treated equally by the law.

7. The law is the same for everyone, it should be applied in the same way to all.

8. Everyone has the right to ask for legal help when their rights are not respected.

9. No one has the right to imprison you unjustly or expel you from your own country.

10. Everyone has the right to a fair and public trial.

11. Everyone should be considered innocent until guilt is proved.

12. Every one has the right to ask for help if someone tries to harm you, but no-one can enter your home, open your letters or bother you or your family without a good reason.

13. Everyone has the right to travel as they wish.

14. Everyone has the right to go to another country and ask for protection if they are being persecuted or are in danger of being persecuted.

15. Everyone has the right to belong to a country. No one has the right to prevent you from belonging to another country if you wish to.

Sources

The full text of the Declaration can be read here: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The simplified version is found here: Simplified Version

An Introduction, A Declaration

Eleanor Roosevelt holding the English version of the UDHR (x)

In 1948 political figure Eleanor Roosevelt uttered the phrase "every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination," an aphorism that still rings true today. Roosevelt was speaking as the Chair to the Untied Nations Commission on Human Rights. The United Nations was formulated following World War II when the international community was shaken up by the recent atrocities the planet had suffered. It was thought that there should be an international assembly featuring specialized committees so as to create a more peaceful planet and weigh in on social and economic issues. The UN was officially created on October 24th, 1945 with twenty nine nations as official members. In 1947 the Commission on Human Rights was put into place and given the assignment to create an International Bill of Human Rights, now known as The Universal Declaration of Human Rights . The Declaration was officially adopted by the General Assembly on the 10th of December in 1948. Now that we've established a historical base, it's time to start diving into this Declaration and what it means for humanity today!

Sources:
The Formation of the United Nations
History of the Document
Universal Declaration of Human Rights