declaration of human rights 372664159

7/28/2019 Declaration of Human Rights 372664159

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of The Universal Declaration of Human RightsMINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL


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Dignity and Justice for AllHistory of the Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights known as the

foundation of freedom, represents a range of ideologies, political

systems and religious and cultural backgrounds, as well as different

stages of economic development. The authors of the Declaration,

themselves from different regions of the world, sought to ensure

that the draft text would reflect these different cultural traditions

and incorporate common values inherent in the world's principal

legal systems and religious and philosophical traditions. Most

important, the Universal Declaration was to be a common

statement of mutual aspirations, a shared vision of a more equitable

and just world.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights serves as a safeguard

against oppression and discrimination. In the wake of a devastating

World War, which had witnessed some of the most barbarous

crimes in human history, the Universal Declaration marked the firsttime that the rights and freedoms of individuals were set forth in

such detail. It also represented the first international recognition

that Human Rights and fundamental freedoms are applicable to

every person, everywhere. In this sense, the Universal Declaration

was a landmark achievement in world history.

Prepared in cooperation with the United Nations Information Centre for the Caribbean Area"


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The text was drafted in two years - between January 1947, whenthe Commission on Human Rights first met to prepare anInternational Bill of Human Rights, and December 1948, when theGeneral Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration. An eight-member drafting committee prepared the preliminary text of theUniversal Declaration. The committee, chaired by Mrs. Eleanor

Roosevelt, widow of the former United States President Franklin DRoosevelt, agreed on the central importance of affirming universalrespect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including theprinciples of non-discrimination and civil and political rights, aswell as social, cultural and economic rights. The Commission thenrevised the draft declaration, in the light of replies from MemberStates, before submitting it to the General Assembly.

On 10 December 1948, the United Nations General Assemblyunanimously adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,with 8 abstentions. Since then, 10 December is celebrated every

year worldwide as Human Rights Day. The adoption of theDeclaration was immediately hailed as a triumph, uniting verydiverse and even conflicting political regimes, religious systemsand cultural traditions.


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"Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal andinalienable rights of all members of the human family is thefoundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted inbarbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind,and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoyfreedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want hasbeen proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to haverecourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny andoppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule oflaw,Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendlyrelations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charterreaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignityand worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men andwomen and have determined to promote social progress and betterstandards of life in larger freedom,

The Preamble to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights whichadequately summarizes its purpose is as follows:

Preamble:


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Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universalrespect for and observance of human rights and fundamental

freedoms,Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms isof the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL

DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and allnations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society,keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teachingand education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms andby progressive measures, national and international, to secure their

universal and effective recognition and observance, both among thepeoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples ofterritories under their jurisdiction."

The Declaration is now available in more than 350 languages and itis the most translated document around the world. This is a

testament to its universal nature and reach, since it has inspiredmany new democracies. It also has become a yardstick by whichwe measure respect for what we know, or should know as right andwrong. The Declaration comprises 30 Articles some of whichinclude the following pertinent issues:


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Everyone has the right to take part in the government ofhis country, directly or through freely chosenrepresentatives.

Everyone has the right of equal access to public servicein his country.

The will of the people shall be the basis of the authorityof government; this shall be expressed in periodic andgenuine elections which shall be by universal and equalsuffrage and shall be held by secret vote or byequivalent free voting procedures.

Article 21.

Article 25.

Freedom of governance and access to public service;

Health

1.

2.

3.

1.

2.

Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the

health and well-being of himself and of his family, includingfood, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary socialservices, and the right to security in the event ofunemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age orother lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special

care and assistance. All children, whether born inor out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.


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Everyone has the right to education. Education shall befree, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages.Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technicaland professional education shall be made generallyavailable and higher education shall be equallyaccessible to all on the basis of merit.

Education shall be directed to the full development ofthe human personality and to the strengthening ofrespect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Itshall promote understanding, tolerance and friendshipamong all nations, racial or religious groups, and shallfurther the activities of the United Nations for themaintenance of peace.

Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of educationthat shall be given to their children.

Article 26.

Education

1.

2.

3.


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Everyone has the right to work, to free choice ofemployment, to just and favourable conditions of workand to protection against unemployment.

Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right toequal pay for equal work.

Everyone who works has the right to just and favourableremuneration ensuring for himself and his family anexistence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented,if necessary, by other means of social protection.

Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unionsfor the protection of his interests.

Article 23.

The Right to work

Article 19.

Freedom of the press;

1.

2.

3.

4.

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion andexpression; this right includes freedom to hold opinionswithout interference and to seek, receive and impartinformation and ideas through any media and regardlessof frontiers.


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Trinidad and Tobago and Human Rights:

The Universal declaration of Human Rights which is seen as the"mother" of all Human Rights instruments and has paved the way for anumber of Human Rights instruments, which deal separately withvarious issues. Together with the two international Covenants, theymake up what is known as the International Bill of Rights. On

becoming a member of the United Nations in 1962, Trinidad andTobago agreed to abide by the principles contained in the Declarationas well as, the Charter of the United Nations. Further, the Republic ofTrinidad and Tobago has signed and ratified the following fiveInternational Human Rights Conventions:

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

International Covenant on Economic, Social and CulturalRights

International Convention on the elimination of all forms ofRacial Discrimination

Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination AgainstWomen

Convention on the Rights of the Child


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The Human Rights Unit at the Ministry of the Attorney General hasthe responsibility of monitoring how these conventions areimplemented in Trinidad and Tobago in order to effectively uphold

and protect basic Human Rights defined in the UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights. This Unit is now being restructuredinto the International Law and Human Rights Unit in order toexpand the mandate beyond monitoring and reporting.

In keeping with the protection of Human Rights enshrined theConstitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Ministryof the Attorney General takes this opportunity to commemorate andcelebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration ofHuman Rights.


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declaration of human rights 372664159

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