Amendments v. Articles

1316 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Human Rights essays the universal declaration of human rights

Amendments v. Articles

The Constitution of the United States of America was ratified in 1788. Since then there have been changes, amendments, to it. There are currently 27 Constitutional amendments. 148 years later in 1948, The Universal Declaration of Human rights was adopted. The Universal declaration of human rights consists of 30 articles. Today the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the second most translated piece of text in the world, second only to the bible. The Constitutional amendments and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are similar in regards to articles 5, 18, and 27, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to Amendments 8 and 1, of the United States Constitution. However these two documents do oppose one another in articles 12, 21, and 23, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to Amendments 4, 16, and 16, of the United States Constitution.

Article five of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." This is similar to what Amendment eight of the United States constitution says, which is "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted." What these two have in common is that a prisoner of war, or if a person was to be put in prison because they were loitering outside of a White Hen, they could not be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment. In this case the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is superior to that of the United States Constitutional Amendments. Article five is based on a worldly spectrum, where as Amendment eight only pertains to the United States of America.

Article eighteen of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion." This is similar to what Amendment One of the United States Constitution says, which is "congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." What these two have in common is that a person can choose their own religion and that there shall be no interference with their choice and practice of religion. Although both deal with the same issue, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is superior because it deals on a worldly bases, and not just on one country.

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of The Hot House: Life Inside Leavenworth Prison?

    1325 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the United States, a citizen has rights granted to them under documents such as the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, which gives citizens certain freedoms as long as they obey the law. When someone commits a crime, they are then entitled to aspects such as a speedy trial, a fair jury, an attorney if they wish, and other things, under the sixth amendment. Even if the person is found guilty, as a U.S. citizen they have rights under the eighth amendment which include protection against excessive bail or fines, and cruel and unusual punishment. Since the framers enacted the amendment, the exact definition of cruel and unusual punishment has been difficult to pin down, changing with the times and everyone’s interpretations. Pete Earley’s novel, The Hot House: Life Inside Leavenworth Prison, depicts the conditions in the United States’ toughest prison, where some prisoner recounts, as well as Earley’s

    Read More

  • Articles of Confederation vs. Constitution

    1404 Words  | 3 Pages

    Articles of Confederation vs. Constitution There are many differences between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. At the end of the American Revolution, the free states needed some sort of control that would generate a unified country. Issues arose such as: How should power be divided between local and national governments? How should laws be made, and by whom? Who should be authorized to govern these laws?

    Read More

  • Examining the Modern Day Relevance of the Bill of Rights

    1620 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Constitution lays out the rights and obligations of the newly formed United States government. But, what of the rights and obligations of its citizens? Starting in 1791, only two years after the Constitution was ratified, the Constitution began to evolve and this process continues to this day. The first ten amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights. This Bill of Rights outlines the protections citizens have from the government of the United States.

    Read More

  • Articles of Confederation vs. Constitution 

    682 Words  | 2 Pages

    Approved on 15th of November in 1777 by Congress and confirmed by the state on March 1, 1781, The Articles of Confederation were a humbled effort by a new country to consolidate itself and to create an ideal national government. The Articles were said to have been a “firm league of friendship” () between the states which means that these thirteen states would cooperate and commute together, but leaving out a principal form of government; hence to give limited powers to the central government. However, to some states the current form of government was not satisfying because the Articles of Confederation will come out to be too disadvantageous. Constitution will become the saving grace for America. Written in 1787, Constitution was requesting united and more powerful government.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between The Constitution And Texas Constitution

    651 Words  | 2 Pages

    The U.S. Constitution was completed on September 17, 1789 and has served as a model for the constitutions of many other nations. The constitution of the United States of America is the oldest written national constitution in use and consists of twenty-seven amendments.

    Read More

  • The Articles of Confederation and the Bill of Rights

    4655 Words  | 10 Pages

    habit of printing new paper money to cover the new republic’s war debt and the

    Read More

  • Fourth Amendment

    1026 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 1787, the Constitution, created by a group of men known as the “Framers”, is the highest law in the United States. At first, the Constitution was not ratify because it did not have a bill of rights which is a list of rights that belong to the people. Therefore to allow changes to the Constitution, the Framers created the amendment process. In 1791, congress proposed twelve changes to the Constitution. Ten of the twelve changes were agreed to by the states and were called “The Bill of Rights.” Some of these rights include the right of free speech, the right to practice your own religion and the right to be silent if you are arrested.

    Read More

  • The 8th Amendment

    420 Words  | 1 Pages

    The “cruel and unusual” clause in the eighth amendment states that “cruel and unusual punishment” such as torture or lingering death can not be inflicted on anyone as a form of execution. It is however permissible under the 8th Amendment to execute a convict by means of hanging, shooting, electrocution, and lethal gas.

    Read More

  • The Geneva Convention's Influence on the Treatment of Prisoners of War

    676 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Geneva Convention was created to take care of prisoners of war. It contains rules about the treatment and rights of prisoners of war during captivity. A quote told by Michael Ignatieff, Human Rights as Politics and Idolatry about the Geneva convention: “...our species is one, and each of the individuals who compose it are entitled to equal moral consideration.” It sets out:

    Read More

  • Why the Federal Government Must Abolish the Death Penalty

    1270 Words  | 3 Pages

    "Universal Declaration of Human Rights." Amnesty International USA - Protect Human Rights. 19 May 2009 .

    Read More

  • Is Capital Punishment a Human Way to Deal with Criminals?

    972 Words  | 2 Pages

    In today’s society, many argue that the death penalty is inhumane. They call it a form of torture because the convicted wait so long on death row for their execution date. However, according to the United Nations Convention, it is not a form of torture. The United Nations Convention defines torture as “Torture means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is...

    Read More

  • Themes Of Individuality

    1291 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on December 10, 1948. Each of the 30 articles in this declaration defines rights humans need, from basic resources and education to freedom of thought and speech. Article 2 states, “Everyone

    Read More

  • Rape and Sexual Assault in the Military

    1105 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States asserts,” Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted,” (source Cornell). This amendment is being violated in the military today. These victims are being punished for being victims. Many victims are forced to leave the military after their attacks and do not receive proper medical attention. Victims are being cruelly treated for crimes committed against them.

    Read More

  • The Moral, Legal, and Economical Aspects of Capital Punishment

    1500 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution states, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” The key phrase to examine when determining the constitutionality of capital punishment is “cruel and unusual punishments.” The question that must be answered are ‘what makes a punishment cruel and unusual’ and if or how these standards apply to capital punishment. According to Supreme Court Associate Justice William Brennan “the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause ‘must draw its meaning from the evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society” (Brennan 32). Judging from thi...

    Read More

  • The Convention Against Torture

    1107 Words  | 3 Pages

    In conclusion, the convention against torture, has brought many people together, and has informed many people of the horrible tortures which go on everywhere from the US to Syria. It has tried to set fine lines which prohibit torture under all circumstances. However, since there is no governing body over countries, it remains difficult to enforce the human right standards sought after by the Convention against torture. The convention has therefore done a good job at identifying the torturers. This has in turn lessened the amount of those persecuted. It will remain a gradual process to eliminate torture from all countries, but nevertheless a necessity, in the quest for universal human rights. Torture will continue until all countries decide for themselves, and not from a third party convention that freedom from torture is a human right everyone deserves.

    Read More

More about Amendments v. Articles

Open Document