Real-Life Communication

You're a human rights worker visiting a country that has been isolated from the outside world for many years. The human rights violations in this country are shocking. Recently, a new government formed. It wants to change its society in order to create a peaceful and just environment for all of the country's inhabitants.

"Writing skills are important because you have to be able to lobby," says Patricia Poirier. She is the communications director for a human rights group. "Research skills can also be important. As well, you should be able to work independently and be diplomatic."

You're ready to help the new government on the path to freedom and justice for all. You begin by starting a human rights initiative. This involves teaching people in the country about human rights and training them to help others.

To help the citizens understand human rights, you tell them about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It spells out how humans should be treated with dignity, equality and respect.

Here is an excerpt:

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.

Article 2

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, 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.

Article 3

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude. Slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6

Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

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.

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.

Article 9

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

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.

(This declaration is for public distribution. For the full text, please visit the United Nations Web site:https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights)

The people are astounded and overjoyed to find out what human rights all people should be allowed to enjoy. They want to make sure they have understood you properly. Here are some questions they ask:

• Everyone is entitled to the full rights and freedoms under the declaration, without distinction of any kind. What kinds of distinctions are listed in the declaration as examples?
• What does it say about slavery?
• Is everyone equal before the law? Which article states whether this is true?
• Can people be arrested or detained for no apparent reason? What article states whether this is true?

• Want to learn more? Check out this URL:

  Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  Internet:https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
  

  • Want to see what we came up with?