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The first modern exponent of human rights was John Locke who stressed on natural rights in Two Treaties of Governments (1688), followed by Immanuel Kant whose ideals of equality and moral autonomy originated from human reasoning, not the Divine Will. In the 18th century, the world witnessed two revolutionary movements, the American Independence Movement (1776) and the French Revolution (1789), inspired by the ideals of human rights to over through tyrannical regimes. Rousseau, the French ideologue, made us remember – “Man is born free and is everywhere in chains”.
In the last century, after the Second World War, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights acknowledged the need to safeguard human rights world over. On December10, 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted and proclaimed this Declaration as a common goal, realizing them for all people, all nations and every individual and every group in society. “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity in rights”, it stated in Article1. The recognition of women’s rights as human rights became international law when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1976. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, laid down binding standards of protection covering every aspect of children’s human rights.
INDIA
India adopted the essence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On the basis of the Directive Principles of State Policy, the union government enacted a number of Acts related to human rights, such as the Abolition of Untouchability Act, Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act and Dowry Prohibition Act. Moreover, to ensure human rights of minorities and weaker sections of the community it created some independent bodies. To protect the children of our nation, the Union Government enacted the Juvenile Justice Act (1986), the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act (1986), the Parental Diagnostic Technique (Regulation, Prevention & Misuse) Act (1992), etc. Provisions against trafficking and abuse of children were included in various personal laws.
The 1990s had seen the enactment of human rights legislation in India. The National Commission for Women Act (1990) provided for a National Commission for Women. In 1992, the National Commission for Minorities Act was passed by the central legislature. The Protection of Human Rights Act (1993) provided for the constitution of a National Human Rights Commission, state human rights commission in individual states and a human rights court. And recently, a Bill has been passed empowering concerned ministry to constitute child rights panels in the center as well as in the states.
In spite of all these rights being on paper and accepted at least in theory, there has been an apparent failure to enforce human rights.
Violation of rights happens throughout the year. It happens in war fields as well as in home front. There are so many organizations functioning as watchdogs in national and international level, still violation graph is upward. It is a world phenomenon. In our country, India, even after formation of several Commissions, violation of rights of women and children in particular, is very common. Attacks on live hood of religious minorities and indigenous people is growing day by day in recent times.
December 10, 2022
c. 1760 BCE:
In Babylon King Hammurabi draws up the ‘Code of Hammurabi’, an early legal document that promises to ‘make justice reign in the Kingdom and promote the good of the people’
528 BCE - 486 BCE
c. 539 BC The Cyrus Cylinder
In 539 BC, Cyrus the Great conquered the city of Babylon, freed slaves to return home, and declared that people should have a choice in their religion. This event is considered by many to be the world’s first charter of human rights in history. Prior to this, people had rights based on membership to a group, such as a family for example. This event served as an inspiration to the civilizations of India, Greece, and Rome, cultures that are known these days for their contributions to rights and freedoms.
In India, Gautama Buddha advocates morality, reverence for life, non-violence and right conduct
c. 500 BCE
Confucian teaching develops based on 'jen' or benevolence and respect for other people
27 BCE - 476 CE
Roman Empire develops the concepts of natural law and the rights of citizens
c. 26 - 33 CE
In Palestine, Jesus Christ preaches morality, tolerance, justice, forgiveness and love. The Christian New Testament teaches equality before God: 'In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female'
c. 613 - 632
In Saudi Arabia, Prophet Mohammed teaches the principles of equality, justice and compassion revealed in the Qur’ān
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The Magna Carta
Undoubtedly a great first step in the long journey for human rights, a document like this would not come to be for another thousand years. Then in 1215, the Magna Carta, translated from Latin to mean “The Great Charter” was issued by King John of England. This document, too, was a big step for rights because it established that the king was in fact subject to the law, despite a long history of actions without consequences. This was written a long time ago, when monarchies were commonplace, so is it still relevant? Many clauses are no longer applicable to modern times, however, the charter still holds timeless fundamental values such as the right to justice and a fair trial.
1583 - 1645 AD
Hugo Grotius, Dutch jurist credited with the birth of international law, speaks of brotherhood of humankind and the need to treat all people fairly.
1689 AD
In England, Parliament adopts the Bill of Rights that curtails the power of the monarch and includes freedom from torture and from punishment without trial. The Bill sets out that it is the job of government to represent the people and their rights.
1776 AD
US Declaration of Independence proclaims that 'all men are created equal' and endowed with certain inalienable rights.
1789 AD
In France the National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which guarantees the rights to liberty, equality, property, security, and resistance to oppression.
1791 AD
The United States Congress adopts their Bill of Rights, amending the US Constitution to include rights to trial by jury, freedom of expression, speech, belief and assembly
1833 AD
The British Parliament abolishes slavery through the Slavery Abolition Act
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The United Nations is created ‘to affirm the dignity and worth of every human person’
The United Nations adopts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The European Convention of Human Rights
TheEuropean Convention of Human Rights, prompted by the UDHR, is a treaty between 47 states of the Council of Europe that is legally binding to protect basic rights and freedoms of the people. The idea for the treaty came about in the beginning of the 1940s during WWII, but only came into existence in 1950. Its official name is “The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms”. It was the first instrument to give real effect to certain rights stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to ensure that governments would “never again” be permitted to abuse the rights of the people. Yet, rights were still being abused and not everyone was treated equally.
The Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees ('The Refugee Convention') is adopted and opened for signature. It defines who a refugee is and what the rights and legal obligations of states are in relation to them
1965
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is adopted and opened for signature. It is introduced to eliminate racial discrimination and promote understanding among all races
1966
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) are adopted and opened for signature
1979
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is adopted and opened for signature. It is introduced to prevent discrimination against, and to promote the rights of, women
The African Charter of Human Rights
As Africa contains so many countries and peoples, the establishment of the African Charter of Human Rights made important progress. It promotes and protects human rights and basic freedoms in the African continent. Along with the Charter of the Organisation of African Unity, it designates that “freedom, equality, justice and dignity are essential objectives for the achievement of the legitimate aspirations of the African peoples”. Oversight and interpretation of the Charter is the task of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The idea began with the Law of Lagos in the early 1960’s.
The Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
During the 1800s and 1900s, there were deadly Civil Wars, the First and Second World Wars, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, etc. in which torture methods were used frequently and widely. The Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment is a human rights treaty, under the review of the United Nations, that aims to prevent torture and other acts of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment around the world. Major topics of discussion included the definition of torture, universal jurisdiction, international implementation, and the undertakings of States parties. Within the previous 100 years were deadly Civil Wars, the First and Second World Wars, the Vietnam War, etc. in which torture methods were used frequently and widely.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child
Another group that can be often overlooked in society are minors. Many people think of children as being the property of their parents when this certainly is not the case. In 1989, the Convention of the Rights of the Child was adopted by the UN. It established the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children, a group whose rights are largely overlooked. This treaty sets forth the idea that children are their own individuals with rights and are not in fact the property of their parents. Children must be allowed to play, develop, grow, learn, and flourish. They are, after all, the future. The Convention is the most ratified human rights treaty in history; 196 countries are party to it, including every member of the UN, except yet again, the United States.
Held by the United Nations in Vienna, Austria, from the 14th to 25th of June in 1993, the World Conference on Human Rights was the first human rights conference held since the end of the Cold War. The main result of the conference was the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, a plan to strengthen human rights around the world. Additionally, the conference took additional steps to promote the rights of neglected groups in society: indigenous peoples, women, and children.
The Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the European Union
Drafted by the European Convention and solemnly proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission, the Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the European Union enshrines certain political, social, and economic rights for citizens of the European Union (EU). It is broken into 6 chapters: dignity, freedoms, equality, solidarity, citizen’s rights, and justice. The Charter differs from the European Convention on Human Rights in that it was drafted by the EU and is upheld by the Court of Justice of the European Union, whereas the European Convention was drafted by the Council of Europe and is upheld by the European Court of Human Rights.
UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training (HRET)
What is most recently on the agenda in the fight for human rights? The UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training was established in 2011 and asserts that everyone has the right to know, seek and receive information about their human rights and fundamental freedoms. In order to promote universal respect for human rights, education and training in this area is essential. Everyone should have access to education on human rights. This is why the work of the USIDHR is so important.
How to Get Involved in Human Rights Education
USIDHR’s goal is to achieve education for all. One-way USIDHR work towards these goals is through the Edu for Every Child program, which aims to help the 258 million children out of school get the chance to go to school. Additionally, USIDHR offers courses in Human Rights Education Training, the goal of the 2011 UN Declaration. Students undertake a human rights certification program that provides all of the information needed to become a human rights consultant and make a change in the world in their own lives and the lives of others. If everyone were educated on human rights at a young age, it is likely that there would be fewer human rights violations across the globe.
References:
History of human rights - Wikipedia
History Of Human Rights Timeline | Preceden
Human Rights | Nonprofits that help Human Rights | PWI (projectworldimpact.com)
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