Understanding of What Human Rights Are - Coursework Example

Human rights Name Institution Human rights Human rights refer to the virtues or freedom that a person is entitled to. They are inherent to all people regardless of their sexual orientation, nationality, language, area of residence, ethnic or national origin, religion, color of any other factor that may be used to describe the status of man (Langwith, 2008). On this note, every person is entitled to enjoy their own rights without being discriminated against. It is imperative to understand that human rights are indivisible, inalienable and universal. This paper aims at providing an understanding of what human rights are. It will also address the question is the universal declaration of human rights more of a dream than reality? Indivisibility of human rights implies to the fact that these rights cannot be separated. A person cannot choose or pick some rights and decide to honor leaving on some. This is due to the fact that most human rights derive meaning from each other. For instance, the right of an individual to have a fair prosecution would lack meaning if discrimination is not prohibited (McBeth et al., 2011). On the same note, the right to freedom of speech is usually accompanied by the right to peaceful assembly. Human rights being considered to be inalienable mean that a person cannot be denied their rights as they strive to seek them merely because they are not liked. However, in this case human rights can be limited to some situations which must be adequately and comprehensively defined (Langwith, 2008). For instance, prohibition of slavery and torture can never in any given instance be considered to be limited. The understanding that the rights of humans are universal means that all people globally are entitled to these rights based on the fact that they are humans. The concept of human rights being universal is usually either guaranteed or expressed by the law of the land. Mostly some of the forms it assumes include general principles, customary international law, treaties or other forms of international law (McBeth et al., 2011). The law of human rights from the international level constitutes provisions whereby governments are obligated to engage or refrain in certain acts. This is purposed to ensure that there is protection and promotion of the fundamental freedoms as well as the rights of groups or individuals (Hoffmann, 2010). The view of rights of human beings rights being universal is considered to be the pillar of international human rights law. The first time when human rights was stressed and declared to be universal was in the year 1948 (Streich, 2008). This universal declaration has over the years been emphasized through many international conventions on human rights such as the Vienna world conference that took place in the year 1993. During the conference it was identified that governments are obligated to ensure that there is protection and promotion of all rights of humans as well as their fundamental freedoms not considering their cultural, economic and political systems (Streich, 2008). Throughout the years since the universal declaration of human rights was established it remains to be more of a dream that reality. This is due to the fact that there are still many kinds of violations of human rights in different regions globally. There are many reports such as the 2009 “Amnesty International’s World Report” indicating that people are still being denied their rights in different parts of the world. According to the report there are people facing unfair prosecution in at least 54 states, being abused or tortured in more than 81 states and being denied their freedom and right to express themselves in more than 77 states (Amnesty International Report, 2009). There many examples of instances that demonstrates violation and abuse of human rights all over the world since the establishment of the universal declaration. According to the universal human rights declaration each person is entitled the right to liberty, security and life (Streich, 2008). Nevertheless the reality in this statement remains to be a dream especially from the many killings taking place in the society over the years. For instance, in Afghanistan there were conflicts in the year 2007 which resulted in the deaths of about 6,500 people out of which half were innocent civilians and unarmed who succumbed to death due to the inhumane acts of insurgents (Mastrogiacomo and Michael, 2010). During the same period hundreds of innocent people died being victims of suicidal attacks by rebels. In the same year, 2007 in the state of Brazil the police are reported to have killed more than 1,260 people which is considered to be the largest figure as far as the deaths in the hands of police globally is concerned (Hoffmann, 2010). All these happenings were not investigated into and lacked serious attention from the media and governments. Such inhumane acts underwent labeling and were regarded to be acts of resistance. The universal declaration of human rights clearly indicates that no individual should undergo any kind of torture or any other kind of inhumane treatment such as being degraded, subjected to punishment or cruelty (Streich, 2008). However, this was not the case in the United States following the happenings in the year 2008. During this year there about 270 prisoners held by the American authorities in Cuba, in the region of Guantanamo bay without trial or any kind of charges (Fletcher, 2009). The prisoners underwent a lot of suffering due to being subjected to intense torture which involves simulation of drowning also known as ‘water-boarding’. Such action by the United States authorities was against the internal law on human rights which the universal declaration of human rights aimed at protecting (Fletcher, 2009). Darfur is one of the regions of the world where atrocities, abduction and acts of violence are still rampant (Henry, 2011). This region stays without receiving any kind external assistance hence the continuous violation rights of the people. Women and children suffer the most being victims of unrestrained physical abuse including rape while living in displacement camps (Henry, 2011). They usually do not receive any help and authorities never engage any effort that would result in the perpetrators being punished. In Congo human rights violation is still rampant. There are many situations whereby innocent people receive ill treatment and torture facilitated by armed rebel groups or government authorities such as security officers (Kirchner, 2008). People become subjected to stabbings and severe beatings. In addition those under custody become victims of rape. May people become detainees and undergo imprisonment in secret sites. In the year 2007, the division of police, special services and the presidential guard in Kinshasa subjected a number of individuals to severe torture and without any reason detained others in the pretext that they were criticizing and challenging the government in place (Kirchner, 2008). Human rights are actually constituted in the international law of human rights as well as in the universal declaration of human rights. Many nations globally recognizes the principles behind human rights and therefore addressing need for man to be entitled to various forms of freedom by incorporating different aspects of human rights in their constitutions. Despite this being the case the situation globally is still worse with the ideals stipulated and targeted in the universal declaration being far from being realized (McBeth et al., 2011). Some view and perceive that it is not at all possible for human rights to be realized in full measure hence seen as a goal that cannot be attained. Major difficulties are usually experienced in the enforcement process and implementation of international law (Langwith, 2008). Complaints regarding the violation of human rights takes very many years to be addressed or investigated resulting in wastage of time and resources. Nevertheless, international laws restrain human rights abuse and violation but do provide adequate or sufficient protection and promotion of rights of the people. All over the world discrimination is issue that is quite rampant (Mitchell, 2004). Thousands of people suffer from beatings in detainment sites for exercising their freedom of expression. In addition, imprisonment driven by politics and torture, often without any charges or trial are acts that are quite common in the modern world (Mitchell, 2004). Democratic countries are no exceptions due to the fact they also create and promote conditions that favor the existence of such inhumane acts which are actually against human rights. Regardless of the fact that it might be quite difficult for nations to realize the full reality if the universal declaration of human rights all governments globally should be at the forefront of ensuring that human rights are honored. This may be achieved through ensuring that there is sufficient attention directed to instances of human rights violation regardless of its nature. Furthermore states can engage in facilitating activities that create awareness to the people of the significance of human rights and the importance of building a peaceful societal environment. Ultimately governments should not be reluctant in addressing issues relating the violation or abuse of human rights instead they should develop strict measures and laws that ensure that there is enforcement, promotion and sufficient protection of human rights. This might be considered as a viable approach of ensuring that the society undergoes transformation through the understanding that every individual is as important as the other hence the need for respect. If all nations of the world do not take this matter of human rights more seriously people will continue suffering in different parts of the world due to acts of war and abuse of human rights which might even threaten global peace. References Amnesty International Report 2009. (n.d.). Amnesty International. Fletcher, L. E., Stover, E., and Wald, P. M. (2009). The Guantánamo effect: Exposing the consequences of US detention and interrogation practices. Berkeley, Calif: University of California Press Henry, J., (2011). Darfur in the shadows: The Sudanese government's ongoing attacks on civilians and human rights. New York, NY: Human Rights Watch. Hoffmann, S.-L. (2010). Human rights in the twentieth century. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Kirchner, S., (2008). Wartime rape: Sexual terrorism in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo : international law and human rights. Norderstedt: GRIN Verlag. Langwith, J. (2008). Human rights. Detroit, Mich: Greenhaven Press. Mastrogiacomo, D., and Michael R. (2010). Days of fear: A firsthand account of captivity under the new Taliban. New York: Europa Editions. McBeth, A., Nolan, J., and Rice, S. (2011). The international law of human rights. South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Oxford University Press. Mitchell, N. J. (2004). Agents of atrocity: Leaders, followers, and the violation of human rights in civil war. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Streich, M., (2008). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Crows Nest, N.S.W: Allen & Unwin. Read More