1. WHAT ARE UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS?

2. RIGHTS vs. PRIVILEGES
What’s the difference between a right and a privilege?

3. Privilege:
A special benefit, advantage, or favor granted under certain conditions
A person is not entitled to it

4. Right:
Something to which one is entitled, based on a legal guarantee or moral principle
Having rights places obligations on other people to respect those rights

5. What are “universal human rights”?
Literally: the rights that one has because one is human
They are the same for all people (equal), apply to all people (universal), and cannot be taken away (inalienable)

6. History of Human Rights
Major world religions have long promoted human dignity and individual worth
Example: Christianity emphasizes the importance of reducing human suffering and loving others as one would love oneself

7. Enlightenment philosophers like John Locke argued that people can overthrow governments that do not protect their rights
This inspired:
American Revolution – Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution (with the Bill of Rights)
French Revolution – Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
The problem? These rights only applied to wealthy, white men.

8. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Created in after the end of World War II
Applies to all people, everywhere

9. The Possession Paradox
“having” (possessing) and “not having” (not enjoying) a right at the same time

10. Cultural Relativism
The belief that cultural practices should be evaluated by the standards of the culture in which they occur
Allowing universal rights to override cultural practices violates a country’s sovereignty (right to govern itself)

11. Universalism
Culture is irrelevant; human rights are UNIVERSAL and are guaranteed
They apply to all countries and must prevail when they conflict with cultural practices

12. EXAMPLE: Depictions of the Prophet Muhammad

14. The Case of Michael Fay
1994  an 18 year old in Singapore was arrested and found guilty of vandalism
Sentenced to jail time, a fine, and six strokes of a cane
U.S. government argued the punishment was excessive (cruel and unusual)

15. THREE LEVELS OF HUMAN RIGHTS:
Concept  abstract, general statement of a right
Ex: “No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment”

16. THREE LEVELS OF HUMAN RIGHTS:
Interpretation  how the concept is explained or understood
How do we define “cruel, inhuman, or degrading”?

17. THREE LEVELS OF HUMAN RIGHTS:
Implementation  how the right is practiced
Ex: Caning is cruel, inhuman, and degrading; therefore, it should be illegal.

19. HOMEWORK RESPONSE:
Do you think that the U.S. should have intervened to prevent the caning of Michael Fay? Explain.