Message from 1970 self to 2009 self: Don't forget the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). Within the USA, its articles are ideals and guideposts for some, obstacles to be derided and bulldozed by others -- people like Dick Cheney and his allies.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5.
Article 5.
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.
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.
Article 9.
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.
Article 11.
Article 11.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
If the United Nations isn't working at maximum efficiency, its constituent members are entirely reponsible. That is, the collective human race. Those who spit on the UN spit on themselves -- and everyone else.
Today's Rune: Defense.
6 comments:
Cheers, my brother. It's a simple idea, isn't it? Here's to hoping we live those principals out in our lifetime, or at least my childrens' lifetimes.
Ain't never gonna happen, too many will have to give up to much power and wealth for the rest of us to live free of tyranny and oppression.
On the other hand there is that brief occasional flare of light that openly reminds us of these principles and the willingness to put ones self in harms way for them.
Tienanmen and Tehran to name a couple.
I never even knew there was a universal decleration of human rights.
Sometimes you'd never knew judging the state of society and the the world.
Sounds good. It's the practice that's harder to achieve, I imagine.
I would guess that if you were to ask any American school child if they knew about this, they would say no. Maybe we should post this, instead of arguing about the ten commandments.
A very good thought, especially in the light of world events.
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