1. Human Rights What are the basic human rights? Who governs these?
What happens if they are violated?

2. What are human rights? Everyone has dignity
Dignity gives an individual a sense of value and worth
Everyone has the right to develop to his/her full potential – intellectually, emotionally, spiritually
Human rights allow us to respect and live with each other
Human rights and fundamental freedoms apply to everyone

3. Why did we need a declaration of Human Rights
After the atrocities of World Wars I and II, decided that the fundamental rights and freedoms of people had been violated
Without basic rights and freedoms, violence and conflict exists within and between societies and nations

4. What’s a “declaration”
A declaration is a set of principles
It is not legally binding – it carries moral not legal weight
However, laws and constitutions have been enacted based on the principles of a declaration
Covenants and treaties often build on declarations
Covenants and treaties, unlike declarations, carry the force of law

5. Who watches to make sure it’s working?
Six committees exist within the United Nations
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The Human Rights Committee
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The Committee Against Torture
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
The Committee on the Rights of a Child
Amnesty International
Human Rights Watch
Other Human Rights Organizations

6. How do they investigate human rights violations?
Rapporteurs/representatives gather facts
Visit prisons, interview victims, make recommendations
Investigate situations in specific countries
Send urgent cables to governments regarding human rights issues
Establish working groups
Established UN High Commission for Human Rights
Yearly receives 400,000+ complaints

7. Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted?
10 December 1948
Where was the Universal Declaration adopted?
At the Palais de Chaillot, in Paris, France.
Who were the key contributors to the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
Eleanor Roosevelt (United States of America), René Cassin (France), Charles Malik (Lebanon), Peng Chun Chang (China), Hernan Santa Cruz (Chile), Alexandre Bogomolov/Alexei Pavlov, (Soviet Union), Lord Dukeston/Geoffrey Wilson (United Kingdom) William Hodgson (Australia), and John Humphrey (Canada).

8. How many articles does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights contain?30
When is Human Rights Day observed?
10 December each year.
What is the International Bill of Human Rights?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, together with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
How many countries are members of the Commission on Human Rights?
53 countries, representing all regions of the world.

9. Which office in the United Nations is responsible for dealing with human rights questions on a daily basis?
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, formerly known as the Centre for Human Rights.
To whom does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights apply?
To each individual, regardless of gender, race, religion or cultural background.

10. Why is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights important to you?
Because it protects and promotes your individual rights.

11. More About Human Rights#1 #2 #3

12. The Declaration of Human Rights
Paraphrased

13. What does the Declaration say?
Everyone is born free and equal
Your rights must not be affected by your race, colour, sex, language, religion, opinions, possessions, homeland, nationality, birth place
Everyone has the right to live freely and safely.
No one has the right to treat you as a slave.
Nobody has the right to torture you.
Everyone has the right to be legally recognized as a person.
Everyone has the right to be treated equally by the law.
Everyone has the right to be treated fairly under the law.
No one can be arrested, detailed or exiled arbitrarily.
Everyone has the right to a fair and public hearing if criminal charges have been laid.

14. What else does it say?
Everyone is innocent until proven guilty and the penalty shall fit the crime.
Everyone is protected from interference on privacy, family, home and correspondence and has the right to protection against interference or attacks upon honour and reputation.
Everyone can move freely around his/her own country, to leave and return to that country if he/she wants to.
For protection against persecution, everyone has the right to seek asylum in another country.
Everyone has the right to belong to a country.
Everyone has the right to get married and have a family. No one can be forced to marry. The family is a natural and fundamental societal group and is entitled to protection.
Everyone can own property and no one has the right to take that property without a good reason.
Everyone has the freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Everyone has the freedom of opinion and expression.
Everyone has the right to take part in peaceful assembly. No one can force you to join a particular group or association.

15. And finally...
Everyone has the right to take part in politics. Everyone has the right to run for office. Everyone has the right to vote.
Everyone has the right to social security and economic, social and cultural rights necessary for him/her to keep his/her dignity and personal development
Everyone has the right to work. Everyone has the right to equal pay for equal work. Everyone has the right to fair pay for work. Everyone has the right to join trade unions.
Everyone has the right to rest and relaxation with mandatory holidays and limited working hours.
Everyone has the right to a good standard of living. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and help. All children will be treated equally.
Everyone has the right to an education.
Everyone has the right to take part in cultural life in a community.
Everyone must have social and international order so that human rights can be practised.
Everyone has the right to be respected and respect others.
No one has the right to change these declarations for self serving purposes. No one has the right to take away your rights.

16. Case Studies
Read one of the case studies . You may also use a news story or other case story about human rights. Briefly explain what happened in your study. Then, talk about the human rights (Declaration of Human Rights) that were violated. Explain clearly the declaration you are citing and provide proof that it was violated (quote from the case study/article to back it up). Make sure you use proper APA citation. Type your response. Double space it and indent your paragraphs. Make sure you include the heading at the top. It should be one to two pages long. This will count as an assignment for Module 3.