United Nations Universal
Declaration of Human Rights
by Sharon Cornet
Ashford University
Twentieth Century Europe – HIS 306
Professor: Jennifer Bridges
October 11, 2009
United Nations Universal
Declaration of Human Rights
It was in 1948 that the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights was
created. According to Harold James (2003),
this Declaration included articles that “must have seemed (they still do) hopelessly
utopian aspirations that had little to do with everyday reality in most countries. In fact, at the time, every country was in
violation of some aspects of this ambitious program” (p. 226). It is this author’s opinion that indeed, many
of the articles are not only ideals that countries in the past have not honored, but the
trend has followed into the present, and will likely continue into the future, at least in
some areas of the world. The United States
today is certainly not exempt from the many countries that do not follow this Declaration. Although the ideological articles of universal
human rights is still an honorable code of honor to attempt living up to, the reality is
that humans are not perfect, and therefore their political and social systems must also be
imperfect, and more focus and implementation needs to be applied to this ideal in order
for full human rights to become a reality around the globe.
In Article 2 of the Declaration it is
stated: “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms … without
distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other
opinions, national or social origin, property, birth or other status ... “ (James, p.
227). Despite this, India still engages in
the caste system for its citizens, which specifies the social status, and its associated
economic status based on birth. Those born in
higher-ranking levels of the caste hierarchy enjoy the pleasures of making more money,
having more clout and social status. Those
born at the bottom rung of the caste system are considered “Untouchables” and
are left with the worst jobs, such as cleaning sewage, hauling dead bodies, trash, and
dealing with anything that those of higher caste status would not ever be willing to do. Because of their positions, which is not a choice
for them (much like being born into slavery), the Untouchable class are beaten, treated
with disrespect, and are considered the scum of society.
Untouchables have had to fight against the system in many areas, with only a
minority finding freedom from their birth-dependent fate.
Another universal human rights issue, which
deals with the problem of bigotry against immigrants, has escalated in the U.S.,
specifically on the international border with Mexico.
Article 17 states: “Everyone has the right to own property alone as
well as in association with others. No one
shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property” (James, p. 227). This article goes along with the United States
Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. To take from the latter, the Fifth Amendment
states: “No person shall be … deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process
of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just
compensation” (http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am5.html). The “taking” of private property has
been a hotly debated issue for many people in different areas of the U.S. More specifically, on the U.S.-Mexico border,
within a 50, 100, and 150 mile radius in the state of Texas, it is HB 1001, plus Chapter
232, and Subchapters B, C, and E of the LGC (Local Government Code) is where this
violation against citizens occurs. The use of
discriminatory laws that have been (since 1995) taking not only peoples’ property
rights, but also their property value, have been perpetrated by the state against citizens
and immigrants alike, and without just compensation because the state has not been
claiming “imminent domain” in these cases (http://www.sunstar-solutions.com/HB2096.htm). Yet, people who have built their homes with their
own money and hands, owning their property outright (or still paying the note), are being
denied the right to the pursuit of happiness, and the right to continue electricity
service if their electric is turned off for (literally) any reason. To have the “right” to have it turned on
they must have a County-issued Certificate of Compliance, which is not legally available
after the fact. People (up to 98% Hispanic,
and the majority are below the poverty level, although other races and even rich people
are also included in these homesteading/suburban areas called “colonias”) are
being forced to live in deplorable conditions. This
includes children, the elderly, the sick, handicapped, and those without vehicles or
transportation in these rural areas. Many of
the families are immigrants, and so it is a case of selective victimization by the State
of Texas against the poorest of the poor, in order to make living conditions so bad that
they are forced to abandon their properties and leave.
Many do not have a choice, and so must stay.
This unbelievable human rights violation is finally being considered for the
atrocity that it is by some legislators, and the recently passed Senate Bill (SB 2253) is
meant to allow the property rights to be grandfathered in so old owners have the right to
sell their property with electricity, and new owners have the same rights, but the new
bill is permissive, rather than mandatory, so it will remain to be seen if individual
counties choose to adhere to basic human rights, or violate them (http://www.legis.state.tx.us/billlookup/Captions.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB2253).
As a last example of abuses, not in
alignment with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 23 states: “Everyone has the
right to work … without any discrimination, hast he right to equal pay for equal
work…” (James, p. 227). This is but
another area where the United States lags behind other countries since women, after all of
the hard work in the feminist movement, and other efforts for equality have been
accomplished, there is still a glass ceiling for women.
Women are not being paid the same amount as men are for the exact same job
descriptions and workload. Although the
ideological articles of universal human rights is still an honorable code of honor to
attempt living up to, the reality is that humans are not perfect, and therefore their
political and social systems must also be imperfect, and more focus and implementation
needs to be applied to this ideal in order for full human rights to become a reality
around the globe. Just as Woodrow
Wilson’s 14 Points were too idealistic for its time, but eventually found some way
into the realities of many countries’ political laws (and their citizens’
views), it will take many decades, if not longer, before human rights will become part of
everyday life in the U.S., as well as other countries on this great planet of ours.
References
James, Harold. (2003). Europe Reborn:
History, 1914-2000. Great Britain: Pearson Education
Limited