by funkandjazz

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”(Article 1, Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Born Free: Yes or No?

Are all human beings born free? No, definitely not. The status of freedom for human being begins even before physical birth. The right to be born nowadays is in certain countries is decided by the state (politicians). They call it population control and family planning. The biological parents decide the fate of the foetus until it gets its first breadth outside the womb of the mother, called birth. Until then, the biological mother has a medical time limit whereby she can abort safely with or without legal consensus. The foetus has no say. So human beings do not even have freedom in the question of whether they should be born. When they are actually born into this world, are they born free? Again, the answer is no. The moment a human being is born, he/she is labelled according to the requirements of the state, parents, status quo, family, culture and religion. All human beings, especially the ones with dictatorial political powers, have yet to understand the meaning and spirit of the principle, all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Equality: Begins With Persons – Centred World:

To understand article 1, we should take an honest and critical look at the world today. What kind of world are we living in? Among the many negative aspects that go against human freedom, the first is, it is a man-centred (androcentric) world. The human universe and all its activities still rotate around the male gender. Take these common examples. Women after marriage are still expected in many countries to take the family name of their spouse? Why can’t the women have same expectation of the men? Will the society support such a move? Or, why can’t the women keep the birth names after marriage? What about names for children? Many countries (especially in the east) still require and practice the giving of the father’s surname to their children. Again, why give the father’s surname only? Why not give the mother’s surname? We might think that the requirements and practices of married names and surnames are harmless. An entire book can be written on the legal and social implications of the requirements and practices of married names and surnames. These one-sided practices have a lot of problems especially for the women (female).

An androcentric world emphasis the male in everything: law, ethics, morality, culture, politics and religion. This emphasis negates the equality between men and women. Article one stresses that, “All human beings are born free and equal…” Equality of men and women can only be a reality, if they are treated as persons of equal status, in law, ethics, morality, culture, politics and religion.  As long as this doesn’t happen universally (east and west), women (female) are neither born free nor equal in law, ethics, morality, culture, politics and religion.  The world as we know it today should become person-centred (Woman = Man = Person).

In this context, politics and politicians are key determinants in the development of a persons-centred nation. Politicians are great at giving promises especially before an election. But what persons in any country should look out for, are politicians who will use their political powers and influences to push for development of persons-centred nations. If any politician can assist in transforming his country into a persons-centred one, he deserves the noble peace price in gold. What is the purpose of supporting politicians who promise political scraps (e.g. building of better highways), when vital human rights’ needs like freedom and equality of persons are still not fulfilled. Do you still want to continue to drive on political highways of inequality?

Freedom and Equality: Observed In Dignity and Rights

Freedom and equality of all persons must be observed in dignity and rights? What does this mean?

All persons should be accorded an equal respectful treatment which is their birthrights as humans.  We all understand the meaning of V.I.P treatment. V.I.P stands for very important persons. Who are they? They are the persons who are always given preferential and special treatment in everything and everywhere. Now, if certain persons are given preferential and special treatments, then, it indicates that others are not given that same treatment.  So, how are all persons to be accorded an equal respectful treatment, when there is always a practice of preferential and special treatments? And what does the practice of preferential and special treatments mean?

I believed most of us have watched the science fiction adventure movie 2012. In one of the scenes, you will see the V.I.P(s) being given preferential and special treatment in saving their lives first. It also showed how the V.I.P(s) had the power to decide over the fate of others. Why? The Cheque book decided who lived and who died. Though, 2012 is just a science fictional movie, it portrayed what preferential and special treatments can do in real life. It can decide between the life for one person or a group of persons and the sufferings and death of millions. Preferential and special treatments do not respect human rights of all persons. It only focuses on the rights of certain persons.

Conclusion:

Ask yourself, are preferential and special treatments compatible with the principal that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Freedom and equality in dignity and rights for all persons is still very much an ideal that needs a lot of effort to be realized realistically.

The main obstacles to its realization are human beings themselves. As long as there are human beings who consider themselves superior over others and would like to have preferential and special treatments, the principle of freedom and equality in dignity and rights for all persons will be resisted at all levels of a nation.

The practice of preferential and special treatments promotes the practice authoritarian oligarchy. And in authoritarian oligarchy, there is no place for human freedom, equality, dignity and rights. So, it is in the interest of all persons everywhere to strive for their freedom, equality, dignity and rights which is their birthright as human beings.

Dons (Art Singer) – participant of Latvian Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with song my religion is freedom Authors: Zigmars Liepins, Janis Liepins, Nikita Kellermans Lyrics: Rising – Our spirits are rising, Our faith is surprising, Dont need a gun to win this fight! Glory – We have gathered for glory, Brand new page in our story, Will be opening tonight! My religion is freedom! Freedom! My religion is freedom! Daylight- We look mighty in daylight, Peoples hope for a new start, Will resound in every heart! Mana reliģija ir brīvība! Min religion är friheten! Dinim özgürlüktür! Moja reļigija svoboda! La religion est pour moi la liberté! Meine Religion ist Freicheit! Mi religión es la libertad! A vallāsam szadabsāg! Vapaus on uskontomme! Nere erlijioa askatasuna da! Is í an tsaoirse mo chreideamh! Mano religija laisve! Minu usk on vabadus! My religion is freedom! Freedom! My religion is freedom!
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