You're a human rights worker visiting a country that has been isolated
from the outside world for many years. The human rights violations in this
country are shocking. Recently, a new government formed. It wants to change
its society in order to create a peaceful and just environment for all of
the country's inhabitants.
"Writing skills are important because you
have to be able to lobby," says Patricia Poirier. She is the communications
director for a human rights group. "Research skills can also be important.
As well, you should be able to work independently and be diplomatic."
You're
ready to help the new government on the path to freedom and justice for all.
You begin by starting a human rights initiative. This involves teaching people
in the country about human rights and training them to help others.
To
help the citizens understand human rights, you tell them about the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. It spells out how humans should be treated with
dignity, equality and respect.
Article
1
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another
in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2
Everyone is entitled
to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this declaration, without distinction
of any kind, such as race, color, 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.
Article 3
Everyone has the right to
life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4
No
one shall be held in slavery or servitude. Slavery and the slave trade shall
be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5
No one
shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
or punishment.
Article 6
Everyone has the right to
recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7
All
are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal
protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination
in violation of this declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article
8
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent
national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by
the constitution or by law.
Article 9
No one shall
be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10
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.
(This declaration is for public
distribution. For the full text, please visit the United Nations Web site:http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/index.html)
The people are astounded and overjoyed to find out what
human rights all people should be allowed to enjoy. They want to make sure
they have understood you properly. Here are some questions they ask: