Our Human Rights

By Prof. Dr. Christopher Thomas

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 1948 is the corner stone on which all Human Rights are built and strengthened. It is generally referred to as the Magna Carta of the modern world for all humanity for civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights to which everyone is equally entitled.

This book provides a comprehensive understanding of Human Rights in very simple language that anyone can easily comprehend.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Prof. Dr. Christopher Thomas
• Release date: Mar 23, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476285320

Prof. Dr. Christopher Thomas

Dr. Christopher Thomas is a brilliant veteran writer and social worker, who produced several books on social, psychological, philosophical and religious subjects on people’s life, motivating them to become extra-ordinary.He is an Associate Professor in Human Rights with a European University. His aim is to reach out to more and more people with diverse subject books beside his other services to society. His meticulous and empathetic method of scripting and interface in unique and simple manner is reflected in his various works.Dr. Thomas resides in Chennai - India with his wife having spent several years of his successful and productive life in the Middle East countries.His published English works include the titles: Learning About Life, An Ideal society, Winning Wisdom, This Incredible Universe, and A shortcut Through The Bible, in addition to other vernacular writings.He is a Human Rights Counsellor and works for different charitable activities especially for the benefits of Dalits on which he was awarded a Doctorate. He is confident about Human Rights potentials within the framework of contemporary societies to benefit mankind largely. He is also the Founding Chairman of Friends Ever Foundation International, a non-profit service organization.He is an asset and promise for the present and future generations.

Book preview

OUR HUMAN RIGHTS

Empowered by

The United Nations

Prof. Dr. Christopher Thomas PhD

Smashwords Edition, Copyright 2012

License notes: All rights reserved. First Edition published in USA by Raj Villa Publications. The author asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this book. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the author, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

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Dedication

This book is humbly dedicated to:

The suppressed, the tortured, and the humiliated people world over

Whose inalienable human rights are at stake

And for those, who struggle truthfully to restore these rights

From cognizant violators

Thus empowering and promising the entire global humanity

A Better Tomorrow.

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter – I, The United Nations, Structure and Genesis

Chapter – II, Process of Evolution

Chapter – III, Defending Human Rights

Chapter – IV, Human Rights Visions

Chapter – V, Towers of strength for United Nations

Chapter – VI, Our Future with United Nations

Appendix: Specialized Agencies of the United Nations

About the Author

Preface

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 1948 is the corner stone on which all ‘Human Rights’ are built and strengthened. It is generally referred to as the Magna Carta of the modern world for all humanity for Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural rights to which everyone is equally entitled.

The new age concept and forceful application of ‘Human Rights,’ is a brave attempt of the modern world towards attaining a dynamic social order for all, for a noble global lifestyle. Human Rights in India in its original form can be traced back as far as the Vedic Period.

The necessity for vigorous and efficient application of Human Rights have become immediate mandate in the recent past when the whole world helplessly witnessed brutal torture and atrocities, together with traumatic violence during the times of Nazi upheaval in Germany. The unquestioned imperialism ruling the world around same period also roared of the sad music of humanity, fascist fundamentalism, evil materialism, and terrible parochialism. The watchword and scheme of existence thus deprived dignified survival of average humanity universally.

Culmination of historical retrospection of Human Rights embraces the society of all human kind since time immemorial. Human Rights had been advocated by several law-givers during the course of history whether it was Manu or Hammurabi, Moses or Buddha, Jesus Christ or Prophet Mohammad. They preached and practiced the qualities of human beings, human behavior, human emotions and impulses based mostly on self-preservation. In olden days, the principle of Tooth for tooth and eye for eye was considered perfect reciprocate method. But Jesus Christ taught to, Love they neighbor, forgive thy enemy. If you are slapped on one cheek, offer the other. Buddha advocated Ahimsa (non-violence), respect for life and following the middle pathway in life. Lord Buddha preached that Karma (Compassion or Mercy), Maitry (Friendship or Amity) and Bhaichara (Fraternity or Brother-hood) as the fundamentals to establish an ideal socio-economic structure in a society. Thus, a root of concern for Human Rights may be traced in religions and humanitarian traditions for the unceasing struggle for freedom and equality in all parts of the world. Some traces of Human Rights can be found even in the epic Mahabharata.

Thus, the root of the concern for Human Rights may be traced to religions, humanitarian traditions and the unceasing struggle for freedom and equality in all parts of the world. The term Human Rights as such, is not found in traditional religions. Nevertheless, theology presents the basis for Human Rights theory stemming from a law higher than the State and whose source is the Supreme Being. Since Rights stem from a Divine source, they are inalienable by mortal authority, although freedom for human beings is narrow in religions, as everyone has to strictly obey and follow religious mandates.

In Ancient India, Human Rights were not just unknown. For example, in BC 1367, Bahmani and Vijaynagar kings entered into an agreement for the humane treatment of Prisoners of War (POW) and the sparing of lives of the enemy’s unarmed subjects!

The Greek thinkers developed the idea of ‘Natural Law’ and laid down its