Origin of concept
what is universal declaration of human rights?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Universal Declaration) is an international document that states basic rights and fundamental freedoms to which all human beings are entitled.
when was universal declaration created?
The Universal Declaration was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December 1948. Motivated by the experiences of the preceding world wars, the Universal Declaration was the first time that countries agreed on a comprehensive statement of inalienable human rights.
Australia played an important role in the development of the Universal Declaration.
what does universal declaration say?
The Universal Declaration begins by recognising that ‘the inherent dignity of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world’.
It declares that human rights are universal – to be enjoyed by all people, no matter who they are or where they live.
The Universal Declaration includes civil and political rights, like the right to life, liberty, free speech and privacy. It also includes economic, social and cultural rights, like the right to social security, health and education.
Worldwide influence
Nearly every state in the world has accepted the Declaration.
It has inspired more than 80 international conventions and treaties, as well as numerous regional conventions and domestic laws.
It has been the catalyst for improving human rights protections for groups such as disabled people, indigenous peoples and women.
It has been translated into more than 360 languages.
Human rights in pakistan
The situation of 'Human Rights in Pakistan is complex as a result of the country's diversity, large population, its status as a country and a sovereign, democracy with a mixture of both Islamic and secular laws. The Constitution of Pakistan provides for fundamental rights, which include freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of information, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and the (conditional) right to bear arms. The Clauses also provide for an independent Supreme Court, separation of executive and judiciary, an independent judiciary, independent Human Rights commission and freedom of movement within the country and abroad. However it is debatable how much these clauses are respected in practice.
OBJECTIVES OF UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS 1. Universal declaration of human rights provided comprehensive protection to all individuals against all forms of injustice and human rights violations.
2. To promote interdependence among countries in all areas of cooperation by identifying country’s common strengths and opportunities which will help reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for people whilst developing a knowledge-based society within country and enhancing community and people empowerment.
3. To expand the trade and financial market within country and increase the bargaining power of Asian countries in lieu of competition and, in turn, enhances country’s’ economic competitiveness in the global market.
4. To ultimately transform the continent into community, capable of interacting with the rest of the world on a more equal footing and contributing more positively towards mutual peace and prosperity.
5. To ensure the protection of human rights of citizens by taking necessary steps for effective implementation of human rights protection act into matters relating to deprivation of human rights,denial of human rights and also call for strong action againest those who are responsible for committing inhuman treatment and torture.
6. To passionately stand againest violation of human rights ,childlabour,environmentaldegradation,injustice,inequalities, atrocities, racialdiscrimination ,discriminationagainestwomen,torture and numerous human rights abuses and to elevate awareness on human rights issues in general and inculcate the rights values againest the bureaucratic wings in particular,so as to secure basic freedom to all citizens.
7. To put full efforts in eliminating crimes against humanity.
8. To work towards social,economic and cultural upliftment of human beings through various programs.
what is universal declaration of human rights?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Universal Declaration) is an international document that states basic rights and fundamental freedoms to which all human beings are entitled.
when was universal declaration created?
The Universal Declaration was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December 1948. Motivated by the experiences of the preceding world wars, the Universal Declaration was the first time that countries agreed on a comprehensive statement of inalienable human rights.
Australia played an important role in the development of the Universal Declaration.
what does universal declaration say?
The Universal Declaration begins by recognising that ‘the inherent dignity of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world’.
It declares that human rights are universal – to be enjoyed by all people, no matter who they are or where they live.
The Universal Declaration includes civil and political rights, like the right to life, liberty, free speech and privacy. It also includes economic, social and cultural rights, like the right to social security, health and education.
Worldwide influence
Nearly every state in the world has accepted the Declaration.
It has inspired more than 80 international conventions and treaties, as well as numerous regional conventions and domestic laws.
It has been the catalyst for improving human rights protections for groups such as disabled people, indigenous peoples and women.
It has been translated into more than 360 languages.
The situation of 'Human Rights in Pakistan is complex as a result of the country's diversity, large population, its status as a country and a sovereign, democracy with a mixture of both Islamic and secular laws. The Constitution of Pakistan provides for fundamental rights, which include freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of information, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and the (conditional) right to bear arms. The Clauses also provide for an independent Supreme Court, separation of executive and judiciary, an independent judiciary, independent Human Rights commission and freedom of movement within the country and abroad. However it is debatable how much these clauses are respected in practice.
2. To promote interdependence among countries in all areas of cooperation by identifying country’s common strengths and opportunities which will help reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for people whilst developing a knowledge-based society within country and enhancing community and people empowerment.
3. To expand the trade and financial market within country and increase the bargaining power of Asian countries in lieu of competition and, in turn, enhances country’s’ economic competitiveness in the global market.
4. To ultimately transform the continent into community, capable of interacting with the rest of the world on a more equal footing and contributing more positively towards mutual peace and prosperity.
5. To ensure the protection of human rights of citizens by taking necessary steps for effective implementation of human rights protection act into matters relating to deprivation of human rights,denial of human rights and also call for strong action againest those who are responsible for committing inhuman treatment and torture.
6. To passionately stand againest violation of human rights ,childlabour,environmentaldegradation,injustice,inequalities, atrocities, racialdiscrimination ,discriminationagainestwomen,torture and numerous human rights abuses and to elevate awareness on human rights issues in general and inculcate the rights values againest the bureaucratic wings in particular,so as to secure basic freedom to all citizens.
7. To put full efforts in eliminating crimes against humanity.
8. To work towards social,economic and cultural upliftment of human beings through various programs.
9. To promote and encourage basic principles of dignity,liberty ,equality,brotherhood,respect for human rights and
fundamental freedom for all without distinctioj as to caste ,creed ,race ,gender, language ,ethnicity or religion.
10. To act peacefully for the protection and promotion of civil,economic ,social, cultural and political rights of humans.
11. To intervene and act in situations requiring protection of human rights.
12. To ensure environmental sustainability,ensure that the needs and interests of present and future generations are fully safeguarded
Protect the human rights which are deprived from right of life,the right to health,right of freedom of thought,conscience and religion.
13. To ensure the proper administration of justice.
14. To disseminate and familiarize to the goansociety, thehuman, genome,biodiversity,culturalheritage,peace,development and education and the existance of humankind and its environment and to arrange awareness campaigns on such topics.
15. To organize various social and cultural events and activities in order to bring enthusiasm and livelihood in youth,children and the aged with the moral of maintaining peace and harmony in state.
16. To work towards eradication of justice conflicts and social unrest.
17. To work for the cause of down trodden and suppressed people towards abolishing poverty and for their transformational development through participatory practices on sustained basis.
10. To act peacefully for the protection and promotion of civil,economic ,social, cultural and political rights of humans.
11. To intervene and act in situations requiring protection of human rights.
12. To ensure environmental sustainability,ensure that the needs and interests of present and future generations are fully safeguarded
Protect the human rights which are deprived from right of life,the right to health,right of freedom of thought,conscience and religion.
13. To ensure the proper administration of justice.
14. To disseminate and familiarize to the goansociety, thehuman, genome,biodiversity,culturalheritage,peace,development and education and the existance of humankind and its environment and to arrange awareness campaigns on such topics.
15. To organize various social and cultural events and activities in order to bring enthusiasm and livelihood in youth,children and the aged with the moral of maintaining peace and harmony in state.
16. To work towards eradication of justice conflicts and social unrest.
17. To work for the cause of down trodden and suppressed people towards abolishing poverty and for their transformational development through participatory practices on sustained basis.
The
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Universal
Declaration) is an international document that states basic rights
and fundamental freedoms to which all human beings are entitled.
1. We are all born free. We all have our own thoughts and ideas. We should all be treated in the same way.
2. Don’t Discriminate. These rights belong to everybody, whatever our differences.
3. The Right to Life. We all have the right to life, and to live in freedom and safety.
4. No Slavery. Nobody has any right to make us a slave. We cannot make anyone our slave.
5. No Torture. Nobody has any right to hurt us or to torture us.
6. You Have Rights No Matter Where You Go. I am a person just like you!
7. We’re All Equal Before the Law. The law is the same for everyone. It must treat us all fairly.
8. Your Human Rights Are Protected by Law. We can all ask for the law to help us when we are not treated fairly.
9. No Unfair Detainment. Nobody has the right to put us in prison without good reason and keep us there, or to send us away from our country.
10. The Right to Trial. If we are put on trial this should be in public. The people who try us should not let anyone tell them what to do.
11. We’re Always Innocent Till Proven Guilty. Nobody should be blamed for doing something until it is proven. When people say we did a bad thing we have the right to show it is not true.
12. The Right to Privacy. Nobody should try to harm our good name. Nobody has the right to come into our home, open our letters, or bother us or our family without a good reason.
13. Freedom to Move. We all have the right to go where we want in our own country and to travel as we wish.
14. The Right to Seek a Safe Place to Live. If we are frightened of being badly treated in our own country, we all have the right to run away to another country to be safe.
15. Right to a Nationality. We all have the right to belong to a country
Impacts of Freedom of Press
Blessing or Bane?
Free media is a double-edged sword which has its benefits and vices; however, its advantages overweight the disadvantages.
Free media as a blessing:
Educates and informs masses
Increases level of awareness
Develops public opinion
Supports democracy
Free media as a bane:
Spreading misinformation: rumours and false news
Used for propaganda & sensationalism:
Exploitation of freedom: corruption and influence
Commercialisation: serves vested interests
Introduction:
Free media is a double-edged sword which has its benefits and vices; however, its advantages overweigh the disadvantages. It ensures the right to freedom of speech. Media is said to be free when the media organisations enjoy freedom to disseminate information without facing any barriers from the government or any other powerful actors of the society. Earlier in Pakistan, media had to go through severe censorship and rigid regulations.
Advantages:
Free media comes with a package of advantages such as
Educating people
Increasing the level of awareness
Developing the public opinion:
Supporting the democratic system: Media promotes and strengthens and champions democracy. Precisely, democracy is the best system in which both people and media get freedom of speech. Media helps democracy thrive by arousing the citizens’ interest in country’s politics.
It easily disseminates important information across the globe.
Access to uncensored information helps educate the masses regarding important societal issues.
1. We are all born free. We all have our own thoughts and ideas. We should all be treated in the same way.
2. Don’t Discriminate. These rights belong to everybody, whatever our differences.
3. The Right to Life. We all have the right to life, and to live in freedom and safety.
4. No Slavery. Nobody has any right to make us a slave. We cannot make anyone our slave.
5. No Torture. Nobody has any right to hurt us or to torture us.
6. You Have Rights No Matter Where You Go. I am a person just like you!
7. We’re All Equal Before the Law. The law is the same for everyone. It must treat us all fairly.
8. Your Human Rights Are Protected by Law. We can all ask for the law to help us when we are not treated fairly.
9. No Unfair Detainment. Nobody has the right to put us in prison without good reason and keep us there, or to send us away from our country.
10. The Right to Trial. If we are put on trial this should be in public. The people who try us should not let anyone tell them what to do.
11. We’re Always Innocent Till Proven Guilty. Nobody should be blamed for doing something until it is proven. When people say we did a bad thing we have the right to show it is not true.
12. The Right to Privacy. Nobody should try to harm our good name. Nobody has the right to come into our home, open our letters, or bother us or our family without a good reason.
13. Freedom to Move. We all have the right to go where we want in our own country and to travel as we wish.
14. The Right to Seek a Safe Place to Live. If we are frightened of being badly treated in our own country, we all have the right to run away to another country to be safe.
15. Right to a Nationality. We all have the right to belong to a country
Impacts of Freedom of Press
Blessing or Bane?
Free media is a double-edged sword which has its benefits and vices; however, its advantages overweight the disadvantages.
Free media as a blessing:
Educates and informs masses
Increases level of awareness
Develops public opinion
Supports democracy
Free media as a bane:
Spreading misinformation: rumours and false news
Used for propaganda & sensationalism:
Exploitation of freedom: corruption and influence
Commercialisation: serves vested interests
Introduction:
Free media is a double-edged sword which has its benefits and vices; however, its advantages overweigh the disadvantages. It ensures the right to freedom of speech. Media is said to be free when the media organisations enjoy freedom to disseminate information without facing any barriers from the government or any other powerful actors of the society. Earlier in Pakistan, media had to go through severe censorship and rigid regulations.
Advantages:
Free media comes with a package of advantages such as
Educating people
Increasing the level of awareness
Developing the public opinion:
Supporting the democratic system: Media promotes and strengthens and champions democracy. Precisely, democracy is the best system in which both people and media get freedom of speech. Media helps democracy thrive by arousing the citizens’ interest in country’s politics.
It easily disseminates important information across the globe.
Access to uncensored information helps educate the masses regarding important societal issues.
In
Pakistan, media, especially TV channels, have effectively used freedom of
expression to educate people on essential elements of society and citizenship.
Programmes broadcast on these channels educate people on social, cultural and political issues and create civic sense and responsibility among the masses.TV plays films and documentaries are good examples in this context.
Free media stirs a rise in awareness level. This raised level improves ability to make decisions rationally.
The current state of affairs harbingers a bright future as the masses have great knowledge about the issues faced by the country.
Free media shapes public opinion. Internet, TV and radio channels, and newspapers are effective tools to serve the national interests if geared in the right direction
Disadvantages:
It also carries a bundle of disadvantages including:
Disseminating disinformation:There are some instances where media outlets spread disinformation and created confusion among the masses. The ‘informing people’ function of media is not complete until it guarantees true and unbiased information.
Advocating a specific propaganda
Prioritizing commercialism.
It helps enrich one’s culture as well as risks invasion by others’ cultures.
It facilitates socialisation by making the world a global village yet it isolates individuals from their families and friends as excessive time is being wasted on social media.
Interestingly, media is a watchdog over the governments, but lacks accountability within.
Media is a powerful opinion-maker and if not dealt carefully, it could be negatively used to form opinions which favour certain organizations or groups.
Pakistan is combating the monster of terrorism but the uncensored and live telecast of the scenes of bomb blasts and of the bleeding people has caused severe psychological impacts on the people of Pakistan.
Most areas of Pakistan are, undoubtedly, peaceful but these repeated telecasts create a negative perception of the country which causes decline in foreign investment and damages the tourism industry.
Programmes broadcast on these channels educate people on social, cultural and political issues and create civic sense and responsibility among the masses.TV plays films and documentaries are good examples in this context.
Free media stirs a rise in awareness level. This raised level improves ability to make decisions rationally.
The current state of affairs harbingers a bright future as the masses have great knowledge about the issues faced by the country.
Free media shapes public opinion. Internet, TV and radio channels, and newspapers are effective tools to serve the national interests if geared in the right direction
Disadvantages:
It also carries a bundle of disadvantages including:
Disseminating disinformation:There are some instances where media outlets spread disinformation and created confusion among the masses. The ‘informing people’ function of media is not complete until it guarantees true and unbiased information.
Advocating a specific propaganda
Prioritizing commercialism.
It helps enrich one’s culture as well as risks invasion by others’ cultures.
It facilitates socialisation by making the world a global village yet it isolates individuals from their families and friends as excessive time is being wasted on social media.
Interestingly, media is a watchdog over the governments, but lacks accountability within.
Media is a powerful opinion-maker and if not dealt carefully, it could be negatively used to form opinions which favour certain organizations or groups.
Pakistan is combating the monster of terrorism but the uncensored and live telecast of the scenes of bomb blasts and of the bleeding people has caused severe psychological impacts on the people of Pakistan.
Most areas of Pakistan are, undoubtedly, peaceful but these repeated telecasts create a negative perception of the country which causes decline in foreign investment and damages the tourism industry.
Conclusion:
Media is free when it can provide information without any kind of censorship. However, complete freedom does require freedom of right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas. Constitution of Pakistan and the universally-accepted principles guarantee everyone the right to freedom of opinion and expression.In Pakistan, media has long faced the censorship. However, an appreciable level of freedom has been achieved recently. Pakistani media is hugely influenced by various state and non-state actors. Military regimes in Pakistan had a special interest in controlling the media. The first step in this direction was taken by a military ruler who promulgated the Press and Publication Ordinance (PPO) in 1960. The law empowered the authorities to confiscate newspapers, clamp down on newspaper providers, and arrest journalists. Even civil governments were no less eager to influence and control media. It was not until 2002 that media faced a decisive development when new laws broke the state’s monopoly on electronic media. TV broadcasting and FM radio licenses were issued to private media outlets. These new laws opened up a new arena for free media with less regulations and limited censorship.
Nevertheless, the overall role of the free media in national development cannot be undermined.
Media is free when it can provide information without any kind of censorship. However, complete freedom does require freedom of right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas. Constitution of Pakistan and the universally-accepted principles guarantee everyone the right to freedom of opinion and expression.In Pakistan, media has long faced the censorship. However, an appreciable level of freedom has been achieved recently. Pakistani media is hugely influenced by various state and non-state actors. Military regimes in Pakistan had a special interest in controlling the media. The first step in this direction was taken by a military ruler who promulgated the Press and Publication Ordinance (PPO) in 1960. The law empowered the authorities to confiscate newspapers, clamp down on newspaper providers, and arrest journalists. Even civil governments were no less eager to influence and control media. It was not until 2002 that media faced a decisive development when new laws broke the state’s monopoly on electronic media. TV broadcasting and FM radio licenses were issued to private media outlets. These new laws opened up a new arena for free media with less regulations and limited censorship.
Nevertheless, the overall role of the free media in national development cannot be undermined.
Praise and Criticism
Praise
In a speech on October 5, 1995, Pope John Paul II called the UDHR "one of the highest expressions of the human conscience of our time."
An official statement of the European Union on December 10, 2003, said: "Humanity has made extraordinary progress in the promotion and protection of human rights thanks to the creative force generated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, undoubtedly one of the most influential documents in history. It is a remarkable document, full of idealism but also of determination to learn lessons from the past and not to repeat the same mistakes. Most importantly, it placed human rights at the center of the framework of principles and obligations shaping relations within the international community."
US President Ronald Reagan stated: "For people of good will around the world, that document is more than just words: It's a global testament of humanity, a standard by which any humble person on Earth can stand in judgment of any government on Earth." (US Department of State Bulletin, March 1989)
Criticism
Marxist-Leninist states often criticized the use of the UDHR to affirm absolutely such rights as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and the freedom to leave one's country. In the ideology of the former Soviet Union, these rights must be subordinated to the agenda of the Soviet state to achieve socialism. Today, China, now a member of the UN, routinely affirms that human rights are a matter of its internal affairs and defends its record on civil and political rights on the grounds that its critics, such as the United States, allegedly violate the Declaration's articles guaranteeing freedom from racial discrimination and other social injustices.
Praise
In a speech on October 5, 1995, Pope John Paul II called the UDHR "one of the highest expressions of the human conscience of our time."
An official statement of the European Union on December 10, 2003, said: "Humanity has made extraordinary progress in the promotion and protection of human rights thanks to the creative force generated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, undoubtedly one of the most influential documents in history. It is a remarkable document, full of idealism but also of determination to learn lessons from the past and not to repeat the same mistakes. Most importantly, it placed human rights at the center of the framework of principles and obligations shaping relations within the international community."
US President Ronald Reagan stated: "For people of good will around the world, that document is more than just words: It's a global testament of humanity, a standard by which any humble person on Earth can stand in judgment of any government on Earth." (US Department of State Bulletin, March 1989)
Criticism
Marxist-Leninist states often criticized the use of the UDHR to affirm absolutely such rights as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and the freedom to leave one's country. In the ideology of the former Soviet Union, these rights must be subordinated to the agenda of the Soviet state to achieve socialism. Today, China, now a member of the UN, routinely affirms that human rights are a matter of its internal affairs and defends its record on civil and political rights on the grounds that its critics, such as the United States, allegedly violate the Declaration's articles guaranteeing freedom from racial discrimination and other social injustices.
Predominantly
Muslim countries, such as Sudan, Pakistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, have
criticized the UNDR for its perceived failure to take into account the cultural
and religious context of non-Western countries. The rights of women, freedom of
speech to criticize Islam, and the right of Muslims to change their religion
are particular sticking points for Islamic states. For example, in 1981, the
Iranian representative to the United Nations, Said Rajaie-Khorassani, said that the UDHR
was "a secular understanding of the Judeo-Christian tradition," which
could not be implemented by Muslims without trespassing the Islamic
law.
The Unites States has sometimes objected to UN attempts to impose its social and cultural "rights" standards on the US. Jeane Kirkpatrick, then U.S. ambassador to UN, argued that certain supposed UDHR economic rights are not true human rights, for they must be provided by others through forceful extraction, Kirkpatrick called this aspect of the Declaration "a letter to Santa Claus," saying, "Neither nature, experience, nor probability informs these lists of 'entitlements', which are subject to no constraints except those of the mind and appetite of their authors."The US has also had objections to UN efforts to define "freedom from torture"—too narrowly in the US view.
A widespread criticism of the Declaration is that its non-binding nature makes it a document with no power to enforce its articles. Member states of the UN have routinely disregarded its articles and the UN has often been unwilling or unable to impose meaningful sanctions against the worst violators of the Declaration.
The Unites States has sometimes objected to UN attempts to impose its social and cultural "rights" standards on the US. Jeane Kirkpatrick, then U.S. ambassador to UN, argued that certain supposed UDHR economic rights are not true human rights, for they must be provided by others through forceful extraction, Kirkpatrick called this aspect of the Declaration "a letter to Santa Claus," saying, "Neither nature, experience, nor probability informs these lists of 'entitlements', which are subject to no constraints except those of the mind and appetite of their authors."The US has also had objections to UN efforts to define "freedom from torture"—too narrowly in the US view.
A widespread criticism of the Declaration is that its non-binding nature makes it a document with no power to enforce its articles. Member states of the UN have routinely disregarded its articles and the UN has often been unwilling or unable to impose meaningful sanctions against the worst violators of the Declaration.
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