IHR
Human Rights Assignment
Human rights are simply defined as, rights you have because you are human. Many thousands of years ago human rights were nonexistent, unless you knew the right people. This idea lasted until Cyrus the Great decided that all people should be entitled to a set of basic human rights, and so, natural law was created; later this would be termed natural rights. As the elite and powerful showed utter disregard for these “laws”, people all over the world began to fight for these rights. After many years of fighting, two world wars, the reign of Hitler, and numerous protests, the United Nations was formed. The basic mission of the United Nations is, “to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person” (youthforhumanrights.org). So, with the help of the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, the United Declaration of Human Rights was created. This declaration was a compilation of human rights that were already adopted in other parts of the world. Sadly, after numerous signs showing that this “Declaration” was not a cure-all for these serious issues, many believed these rights were just words on a paper (youthforhumanrights.org).
Article four of the Declaration states that no person shall be held in slavery or servitude. Most people, when they think of slavery, tend to think of the 1800’s (Universal Declaration of Human Rights). A time when slaves were taken captive, sold in public forums, and where most remained a slave until they died. However, what many are not aware of, is that slavery still exists in our modern world. Slavery exists in this time, this time which is supposed to be a time of equality and freedom for all. A time when people are free to come and go...
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...s are still taking place all around the world is a very troubling question? It makes one wonder if anything can be done to change and prevent these things from happening. Is there really anything that you or I could do to change this? Sadly, I feel the answer is no. No matter what is said or done, there are always going to be people in powerful positions who ultimately trump what we say, think, or do. Because the people in power positions, make the final decisions.
References
Clarke, Kevin. "New Estimate: '30 Million Modern Slaves' Exploited World Wide." American Magazine 4 11 2013: 8-9. Vol. 209 Issue 13.
"Universal Declaration of Human Rights." 2014. United Nations Human Rights. pdf.
Wilkinson, Mick. "A Review of 'Modern Slavery': The Secret World of 27 Million People." Peace Review (2010): 473-476. Vol 22 Issue 4. youthforhumanrights.org. 2014. documentary.