It’s how you instinctively expect and deserve to be treated as a person.
Like the right to live freely, to speak your mind and to be treated as an equal.
There are many kinds of rights. But the Human Rights are the only ones that apply absolutely to everyone, everywhere. That means kids, poor people, old people, basketball players, garbage men, rappers, teachers, Africans, Indians, Christians, Muslims, your mom, your dad, your neighbor and You.
All have the exact same Human Rights. In other words: they are universal.
But the question remains: What are they?
According to the United Nations there are a total of 30 Human Rights which are usually called together simply Human Rights. They are all listed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which is the world’s most widely accepted document on the subject.
But there’s one little problem.
If people have the right to food and shelter why are 16 thousand children dying of starvation every day? One every 5 seconds?
If people have the right to education why over a billion adults are unable to read?
If slavery has truly been abolished why are 27 million people still in slavery today?
The fact is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights did not have the force of law. So although every member nations signed it was little more than words on a page.
As humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard stated, "Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream".
So the question is: Who will make those words a reality?
The world needs leadership that works for all and not just for the few; that moves states from narrow self-interest to multilateral cooperation.
You can make a difference. Urge the world’s governments to fully implement the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
What are Human Rights? Find out at www.youthforhumanrights.org.