Human Rights Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free. -His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Definition Human Rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language or any other status. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights United Nations

A fight, not freely given . . . 539 B.C.E. Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon, freed the slaves, established racial equality and freedom of religion, Cyrus Cylinder 1215, King John of England (had to) sign the Magna Carta 1776, American Declaration of Independence 1789, Rights of Man and Citizen, France

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec 10, 1948 Arose out of the atrocities of the second world war Made the human rights of individuals explicit inspired by the Four Freedoms: Speech, Religion, Freedom from Fear and Freedom from Want. Championed by Eleanor Roosevelt who was known for her human rights advocacy Drafted by 18 individuals of diverse cultural, religious and political backgrounds

The declaration has been adopted in or it has influenced most national constitutions since 1948 Has authority internationally, but not within sovereign states The Canadian Government has made attempts to embed human rights in to Canadian law. There are four key mechanisms: Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Canadian Human Rights Act (statute, 1977) Enforces equal opportunity to reduce discrimination Canadian Human Rights Commission Investigates allegations of discrimination The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal judges these cases Provincial Human Rights laws

Critics of the Universal Declaration Some rights were too difficulty to guarantee housing, health and education Too much a Western focus China and Lebanon were the only non-western contributors Despite creating the Declaration, many human rights violations have continued around the world

Human Rights Basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled Life and liberty Freedom of thought and expression Equality before the law Some countries protect and safe guard basic human rights Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the Canadian Constitution American Bill of Rights Others disregard and abuse them. Why?

Human Rights and Sustainability Sustainable communities include: Full access to natural resources A clean environment Employment Education Social services When people are not able to meet their basic needs or enjoy fundamental human rights, they lose their ability to participate in social, economic and environmental systems that promote sustainability their communities often erupt in conflict.

Societal Factors Unstable Governments are less likely to protect human rights, Authoritarian Regimes Military Dictatorships developing countries with little money to support their citizens Theocracies Conflict arises between the people and the Government because individuals are not able to participate fully in their society Unjust imprisonment Unfair trial of political prisoners Attacks on journalists and the press Concerns about working conditions Persecution of religious minorities Racial persecution

Economic Factors Globalization Can contribute to prosperity Greater business opportunities Larger markets Increased trade Can also contribute to human rights violations Human trafficking, bonded slaves, child labour Sweatshops Many major corporations have been criticized, and fined for using sweatshop labour

Environmental Issues May individuals die from pollution related illnesses each year and even more contract pollution related illnesses each year Corporations operating in a developing country and pollutes a local water source violates human rights Fisheries depletion, deforestation, water shortages threaten human rights Sustainable communities cannot exist with out Clean air, water, food, affordable housing