United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
with notes by Catherine Jennifer Walbridge
Preamble
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,…”
- Yes, mankind—humanKind—has a conscience! or should—or will. These freedoms aimed for are the highest aspirations of all people, not just the common people, whatever that means, because we are so psychologically connected that we can only truly thrive if all other people are thriving! These people will help our home, Earth, be healthier for everyone!-CJW
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, therefore,
The General Assembly
Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
- This document aims for respect for a rule of law that is not applicable only to some, in a corrupt manner. Instead, it should apply, equally, to all. (This suggests to me that my nation, the USA, should join the International Criminal Court at the Hague, and be subject to the UN instead of being able to have veto power there. Our current hypocritical behavior is typical of humanity in this day and age; however, we humans are moving toward more wholesome behavior, if only–today–toward reaching for a mirror.) -CJW
- In future, there may be no Member States but, instead, everyone may be a member, so this document may only be partiallly relevant until the the world’s change of life happens. Yet it is an important historical effort and much can be learned from it. Indeed, it shapes the future (or at least my mind) importantly!-CJW
- However, I balk at the concept of “progressive measures” to secure observance of the Declaration, because immediate adoption could happen, instead, if all were convinced of its relevance. Instead of being adopted one city/state/nation at a time, an overarching feeling connecting all to each other could bring a common desire for peace. It is in this vein that this document has been created, it seems to me, though the document is not, in itself, the link to world peace at this point (if it ever will be).-CJW
- We should not expect that the standard of achievement that this Preamble refers to will be upheld unless the entire world population is involved. This is because the new experience of being universally connected in harmony may need to be felt, in order for the whole (world) to progress. I predict that law will not feel as important in the future, as good feelings for others will become easier to muster after we gain the maturity for peace. The Baha’is agree with me that humanity is not yet mature enough for world peace (see To the Peoples of the World: A Baha’i Statement on Peace by the Universal House of Justice, 1986, p.x; “The Ages of Humanity and Our Future,” me, foolsfortheydonottakethelongview.site Matriotic section) but it is obvious to me that we have effort to make in order to discover how to play on a global scale.-CJW
Article 1
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
- Hansa Mehta from India, apparently, (see UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights website), had helped change the language in this Article from “all men are born free…” to “all human beings are born free” but they forgot to change “brotherhood” to something more equal and inclusive! Where is “sisterhood” in relation to this document? I hope my reflections will be helpful in finding it.-CJW
- Conscience and reason need to be supported in able to develop, I believe. This is a duty of the world, which reading and understanding this document should help get accomplished. But yes, we all— all humans, it is important to assert—are born free and equal in dignity and should have equal rights, as laid out here in this document. It should be taught that we should engage with each other like others are our sisters and/or brothers. -CJW
Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
- We need everyone to feel connected to and supported by the whole human world; it does not matter where they live. All people get the rights and freedoms set forth in this document. -CJW
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
- Please define security of person for me. Does it have anything to do with there not being war, and not being assaulted (even psychologically)? Does “life” have to do with partaking of decent nutrition and mental health? One of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development goals is “No hunger.” I hear a lot of people crying “Help!” today, including in my homeland!-CJW
Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
- Does being female make anyone held in servitude? What about not paying workers a living wage; and withholding benefits; and polluted work environments?-CJW
Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
- Sexism, racism: outlawed here—finally! What about living in a polluted atmosphere? How about working for the greedy and other psychologically-offensive conditions? And growing up without a humane civilization, being expected to contribute somehow–or worse, not even being expected to help, because there is not the structure for it now, and elders are not in good enough psychological shape to have faith in you–and lack the tools that other societies may have? How about seeing potential in the world and not being able to help?-CJW
Article 6
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
- This includes women, children, trans folks, prisoners, workers, artists, musicians, and artists of all ages and hues (we are hueman!). Even if law becomes obsolete in the world of tomorrow, it is important to recognize this today. -CJW
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.
- This includes sex discrimination, right? The reason I ask is…(read on) -CJW
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.
- Should be “granted him/her” or an alternate use of pronouns. -CJW
Article 9
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
- This topic is a motivator for humans to get the future right, so we have no need to punish or detain. Dancing with each other, so we have no need for weapons or to use arbitrary force, may be the method of future human interaction. Like doing capoeira, the Brazilian fight-dance art, and learning to move our own bodies healthfully by doing the Alexander Technique if we need to. Especially because when the world’s a whole planet, with lots of people living on it, where could the exiled go? We need to get the future right the first time! For example, Finland’s jails where the emphasis is on rehabilitation and the doors are unlocked. In any case, prisoners have value, as everybody does.-CJW
Article 10
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.
- Here again, we need “his/hers” and “her/him.” -CJW
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.
- We need “he/she” and “hers/his” here—the sexism of the language utilized is tiresome.-CJW
Article 12
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
- Let me see, here; where to begin to report damages? (“his” and “his”) -CJW
- Interference with my privacy: most advertising. -CJW
- Arbitrary interference with my home: war; resource destruction, especially without understanding its value on many different levels; pollution; hunger; failure to structure society to enable my fellow people (Earth’s huemans) to thrive.-CJW
- Attacks upon my honor: failure to celebrate the beautiful Earth, my home, and its denizens, my human and nonhuman neighbors, who should be my co-creators of the future; attacks upon my wonderful environment, as if it is not; failure to hear my ideas for saving humans and Earth; dispiriting attacks on women and children; failure of the world to save children, women, trans folks and men from diseases and hunger; failure to enrich the lives of all humans by supporting artwork in inhabited areas of the globe, including dancing, as a common occurrence; failure to support each other in discovering and utilizing our full potential. -CJW
Article 13
1 Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
2 Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
- Here we go again—“his/hers” needed. A world language should, like Farsi (Persian), avoid gendered pronouns.-CJW
Article 14
1 Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
2 This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15
1 Everyone has the right to a nationality.
2 No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16
1 Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
2 Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
3 The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
- Yes, the family has been the natural group unit of society, til now, but what if the family ceases to be the fundamental group unit? In the future, might we take the viewpoint of clan families, such as “it takes a village to raise a child” (which is an African proverb)? What about same-sex marriage and childrearing? Does a single parent and a child or children constitute a family? What about limiting amount of children in overinhabited areas—like Earth today—as China has done? What happens when “society” becomes the total world population? What does “State” mean and what will it mean in the future? -CJW
Article 17
1 Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
2 No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
- “His”? “This Land Was Made for You and Me” (popular American folk song)! The USA, before the Europeans, was doing well. Did the Native Americans own the land they lived on, or not? What about the Vikings or Mongolians or Gypsies—folks on the move? -CJW
Article 18
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
- Again, “his,” “his;” how about “hers”? What about when belief becomes harmful to person and/or society/ the world? Such as American belief in an economy based on weapons? Does the American right to “pursuit of happiness”extend to hurting others for one’s own comfort? -CJW
Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20
1 Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
2 No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
- The change of Earth’s humans might involve everyone—but nobody would be forced to take part. That might mean that it can’t happen without absolutely everyone associating (if only temporarily). -CJW
Article 21
1 Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
2 Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
3 The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
- “[H]is/ “his.” -CJW
- It doesn’t say whether these representatives will be paid. Making money seems to be contrary to serving the society through the government. How about government service being a privilege? Do the poor get the choice of a representative who will help them ascend to the position of being middle class, or do the representatives serve the rich and advocate only for the interests of the wealthy? Can a poor person be a representative or not? -CJW
- One person, one vote, right? I’m asking as a member of a group which didn’t have the right to vote in the past. This is, unfortunately, a really important issue for the USA right now.-CJW
Article 22
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
- Again, “his” and “his”—could we get at least one “her,” please? -CJW
- I surmise that the dignity and development of every person on Earth is going to be limited so long as we are divided into nations (and as long as sexist language is used!). Culture, however, cannot be shared outside national borders—or, can it, in ways that contribute to the richness of peoples the world over? -CJW
- The idea of a world language has been popular throughout history, right? Also, what about a place furnished with handmade treasures from different cultures, filled with regional music inspiring and resonant, that one can enjoy virtually, when not there in person…alternatively, how about these places around the world—maybe seven of them, able to be visited like Mecca, housing regional (prehistorical/historical) artifacts—animals; foods; musical instruments; clothes; etc. This would be a gift for posterity, along with a Library of HumanKind— a collection of videos of Earthlings laughing or singing or whatever. -CJW
- Ultimately, we might have an economy for the world that is based on presents—gifts, and presence. My full presence with you could teach me what you need or what would delight you. My full being in my place would show me the resources around me available to be shared. If you could grasp the feeling of the source of the gift for you, the Earth and its people could be celebrated by the gift. For example, my clean coast could offer a fish for you, a Midwestern sushi lover. You might reciprocate with a present of peppermint oil to stop the ant problem you know I had last week. Knowing our community—biological, cultural—intimately could allow us to participate in an economy of meaning that would build ties to our Earth and each other.-CJW
- Dignity means one’s human needs are being met, so that one can express one’s talents and aid other people/society: food, shelter, clothing, places to exercise and move around, and touch. I suggest that the people of today also must have an understanding of their identity, if not from mythology, than from education about the world and experience, so they can co-create the future.-CJW
- Touch is an interesting need. When does it become a wonderful gift, and when is it denied, in a society? If the UAE has a Minister of Happiness; and England a Minister of Loneliness; how could we make the whole population of humans healthier for good? (I suggest more informality and commonness of touch! There are plenty of peoples in the world who touch more than some others do.) I understand that it is possible to develop one’s energy to the extent that one can eat less, as well as living a higher quality existence; I think more touch, too, might help people live longer, more exciting lives! -CJW
Article 23
1 Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
2 Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
3 Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
4 Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
- “Him/his” again. Yes, speaking of equality, equal pay. Yes, trade unions. Yes, an existence worthy of dignity. Yes, other means of social protection if necessary. But what about work? -CJW
- Well, I think everyone wants to contribute to the common good. If this requires work, people should work and be paid for it. What if this requires creativity and/or play? as in, said Albert Einstein, “Creativity is intelligence having fun”? I think the appropriate consideration is to make sure all people a) are fed and housed and feel dignity by b) doing work and play, using their talents for the world and themselves, because it feels good to contribute and it is certainly needed—we know not, today, exactly how, for tomorrow, but things could certainly get better on the planet. When things are better, if people are engaged completely in playing—instruments; games; etc.—and their human needs are being met, that’s great! They should live lives of virtue and celebration—if play works, then by all means, enjoy! -CJW
- As some cultures believe, it’s good to have pleasure with your wife. If not fun—the kind of engaging with joy that leaves you a better person—why done? I query. -CJW
Article 24
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
- To enjoy doing “work,” giving to one’s fellows and fellow creatures and planet, is a good thing. But vacations are nice, too, and are popular today amongst humans. Maybe educational/work trips could be nourishing and even more fun, and freely chosen by the people. -CJW
Article 25
1 Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
2 Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
- “Himself, “his.” “Herself,” hers”! I guess trans-gendered folks don’t have a name at this point. Are we okay with that?-CJW
- When speaking about securing health, prevention is very important. A program like ARTEMIS (my idea of an American Recovery Team, Ecological Muse, International Synthesis study of sustainable worldwide illness prevention methods), which could be an effort of the USA’s National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, might serve world citizens. We would want their access to it facilitated.-CJW
Article 26
1 Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
2 Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
3 Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
- For 1., I would add to “on the basis of merit”: “and/or talent.”-CJW
- Education should indeed promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, by teaching all people about others of today and yesterday. It should use the arts, including music, to share the expressions of humans throughout prehistory and history around the globe, to provide for tomorrow.-CJW
- Peace can only be maintained if the UN’s work/play is positive, remembering that Thomas Jefferson said, “god forbid we should ever be 20 years without such a rebellion;” he may have been referring to the possible passivity that could ensconce a people like the early Americans, and maybe the world’s citizens, in relation to their government, or, here, the UN. I suggest that Earth’s people stay alert and humble, actively examining our system(s) for the possibilities of improvement, expressing our talents and growing in mind and heart as well as abilities. -CJW
- I also recommend, for humans, higher consciousness —development of our minds and hearts in ways that we will be able to do when connected as a planet (just so we have a sense of which direction(s) to head, or what to reach for).-CJW
- Until we speak a world language, parents should have the right to help their children decide what languages to learn to speak. Parents should also have the right—and should be instructed to have the capacity—to help their children learn disciplines of movement—such as martial arts, types of dance, etc. Education of parents is extremely important if they are to use the right to decide about their kids’ education. -CJW
Article 27
1 Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
2 Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
- Okay, “he”? I don’t think so. How about “of which she is the author”? -CJW
- Please, go ahead and implement the changes I suggest in my work/artwork such as my website, if they will help the world; I need enough to live on as a member of the middle class—nobody needs more compensation than that, if the world is looking more lovely by the hour!!-CJW
Article 28
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29
1 Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
2 In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
3 These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
- 1. “[H]is.” Yes. This “community” seems to me to mean the entire world, bearing in mind those (i. e., in the Amazon) who have asked not to be contacted; how to respect and/or involve them or not is a good question. And these “duties” don’t necessarily have to be unpleasant.-CJW
- 2. “[H]is”? I would hope that these limitations and requirements would additionally be applied to non-democratic societies if there were any in the world—not that democracy is not the best system for society, but to include all members of the human species, which may be living without democracy at the moment.-CJW
- Reminds me of the Asian concepts of harmony in society (“wa”), which could perhaps be useful to use to muse on togetherness in world society.-CJW
- 3. Today, my country, the United States of America, is empowered to act against the will of the UN. This veto power is not fair and should be retracted, along with that of the other powerful nations that have it. -CJW
Article 30
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
- Looking out for every one’s whole personhood, as I have attempted with my notes, I hope I have helped to solve the problem of where “sisterhood” is in this document. Using the notes, if you can also fix the sexist language, as Hansa Mehta started to do, this document will be newly inspirational. Let’s keep up the good work—and take the time and love to move toward playing!-CJW
