Human Rights
Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948
Definition:
- Human rights are entitlements that we deserve to enjoy simply by virtue of our humanity.
- Human rights are designed as universal, inalienable (cannot be taken away) and
inherent in all people.
Natural Law Doctrine
A legal philosophy that argues there is a law above human law to which all humans are subject.
In ancient and Mediaeval times it was called divine (religious) law.
Main Human Rights Issues
The Abolition of Slavery:
- Forced labour where a person is considered to be property of another. Debt slavery was
used in history as a form of punishment for crime.
- Translantice slave trade - European ships trading producst for slaves to be used into
USA. Est. 12 million Africans forced into slavery during the 17th and 19th century.
- Slavery is banned under Article 4 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Slavery still exists in Australia (sex industry)
- Queen v Tang (2006)
Trade unions and Labour rights:
- Developed during the Industrial Revolution due to poor working conditions, lack of safety
and long working hours
- Many laws were made to stop workers forming unions
- Labour rights protected in UDHR 1948 article 23 and 24 International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
- Workers rights face challenges still today in the Middle East and Asia
- Collective voice has more power than a single voice
Universal Suffrage:
- Suffrage - the legal right to vote in a democratic election. At first voting was only given to
men with larger land ownerships
- Suffragettes were people who supported giving voting rights to women. New Zealand
(1893) was first, followed by South Australia
- Aboriginal voting rights were established in 1967
- Voting rights recognised in UDHR 1948 in article 21
Universal Education:
- Education was only available for the wealthy and powerful
- Education was given through the church, (sunday school)
- The rise of the industrial revolution produced a need for a literate and educated society
- Recognised in UDHR 1948 article 26 and under United Nations Millennium Development
Goals for 2015
Self Determination:
Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948
Definition:
- Human rights are entitlements that we deserve to enjoy simply by virtue of our humanity.
- Human rights are designed as universal, inalienable (cannot be taken away) and
inherent in all people.
Natural Law Doctrine
A legal philosophy that argues there is a law above human law to which all humans are subject.
In ancient and Mediaeval times it was called divine (religious) law.
Main Human Rights Issues
The Abolition of Slavery:
- Forced labour where a person is considered to be property of another. Debt slavery was
used in history as a form of punishment for crime.
- Translantice slave trade - European ships trading producst for slaves to be used into
USA. Est. 12 million Africans forced into slavery during the 17th and 19th century.
- Slavery is banned under Article 4 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Slavery still exists in Australia (sex industry)
- Queen v Tang (2006)
Trade unions and Labour rights:
- Developed during the Industrial Revolution due to poor working conditions, lack of safety
and long working hours
- Many laws were made to stop workers forming unions
- Labour rights protected in UDHR 1948 article 23 and 24 International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
- Workers rights face challenges still today in the Middle East and Asia
- Collective voice has more power than a single voice
Universal Suffrage:
- Suffrage - the legal right to vote in a democratic election. At first voting was only given to
men with larger land ownerships
- Suffragettes were people who supported giving voting rights to women. New Zealand
(1893) was first, followed by South Australia
- Aboriginal voting rights were established in 1967
- Voting rights recognised in UDHR 1948 in article 21
Universal Education:
- Education was only available for the wealthy and powerful
- Education was given through the church, (sunday school)
- The rise of the industrial revolution produced a need for a literate and educated society
- Recognised in UDHR 1948 article 26 and under United Nations Millennium Development
Goals for 2015
Self Determination:
