avatarKasun Ranasinghe

Summary

The web content reflects on the contradictions and complexities surrounding the enforcement and understanding of the 30 human rights established by the United Nations in 1948, juxtaposing the idealistic vision of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with the reality of ongoing violations and societal challenges.

Abstract

The article titled "The Rights Gone Wrong" delves into the subject of human rights, drawing attention to the discrepancies between the rights as outlined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and their practical application in the modern world. The author, inspired by a poetry prompt on "HR," embarks on an educational journey to understand the 30 human rights, only to uncover a series of paradoxes: while rights such as the right to life, freedom from slavery, and the right to privacy are universally proclaimed, they are often compromised by violence, systemic entrapment, self-inflicted harm, and the erosion of personal boundaries. The piece underscores the challenges faced by the global community in upholding these rights, including the impact of misinformation on education, the constraints of political correctness on free expression, and the broader question of what rights truly mean if they are not actively protected and exercised by individuals. The author encourages readers to familiarize themselves with the full spectrum of human rights and to recognize the shared humanity that transcends geographical and cultural divisions.

Opinions

  • The author expresses a sense of disillusionment with the current state of human rights, noting that the idealistic vision encapsulated in the Declaration often clashes with the reality of daily life and societal norms.
  • There is a critical view of how individuals and systems can undermine the very rights meant to protect them, such as enslavement to societal pressures and the voluntary surrender of privacy.
  • The piece suggests that the collective understanding and enforcement of human rights have become convoluted, with the original intent of the rights being lost or overshadowed by contemporary issues and interpretations.
  • The author highlights the importance of knowledge and awareness, emphasizing the need for individuals to educate themselves about their rights and the history behind them.
  • A call to action is present, urging readers to move beyond passive acknowledgment of human rights and to actively engage with and defend these rights in their own lives and communities.
  • The author acknowledges a personal revelation regarding the depth and breadth of human rights, expressing surprise at the number of rights and the extent of their violation around the world.
  • There is an underlying optimism that through education and awareness, individuals can reclaim the essence of human rights and work towards a society that truly honors the principles set forth in the 1948 Declaration.

The Rights Gone Wrong

Poetry Prompt: HR

Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay

1945, a world ablaze in hellfire, Doused and smothered by blood and sacrifice, The time of tyrants and persecution, Came to an end with a bitter resolution.

When the dust settled after that long night of horror, Bodies buried, sickened by loss and devastation, The world proclaimed to uphold and protect, The basic rights of every human being.

In 1948, the declaration was signed, 30 articles printed, 30 human rights, To protect the person, what it means to be human, But after reading through them I have a few questions.

We have a right to life, But some take it at will.

We have freedom from slavery, But some enslave themselves to the system.

We should be free from torture, But we torture ourselves with material vices.

We should have the right to privacy, But is there anything left to be hidden?

The freedom of expression, Bogged down by political correctness.

The right to education, But drowned in misinformation.

There are many other rights, But countless more violations, We have created a convoluted contradiction, Cobbled together with poor convictions, What rights do we hold when we don't hold our own?

Beyond the colors and boundaries that divide, We are all human,

You and I.

As I was shifting through words that could be used for the prompt, human rights stood out from the rest. I thought it would be fun and educational. But, as I was putting my thoughts together on this topic I realized something.

I didn’t know anything about human rights or their history. I knew they were there and I vaguely recalled a few but, I had no idea that there were a total of 30 human rights. So I started digging into its history and I found some very interesting facts.

Did you know?

  1. Out of the 58 members of the UN at the time, only 48 voted in favor of the declaration while eight countries abstained and two countries didn’t vote.
  2. At present, all member nations of the UN have signed the declaration.
  3. In 2011, the United Nations declared internet access a basic human right.
  4. December 10th is Human Rights day.
  5. The human rights declaration has been translated into 370 languages. That is the most translated document ever according to the Guinness World Records.
  6. According to article 27 of the declaration, we have the right to our work and creations! So copyright protection is somewhat, but not exactly a human right.

I encourage you to check out all 30 rights written in the declaration. You can find it here. I am still a little shocked that all these rights were a part of being human. I am even more shocked that I didn’t know most of them. Hope you find them as interesting as I did.

Thank you Rochelle Silva for inspiring me to come up with these words with your wonderful tag on the prompt HR. Check out her poem on heart rate!

If you like to read more of my writing, please enjoy how one of my articles became the top-ranking Google search result!

I also want to shout out P.S. She is an amazing writer and I relate so much to her stories. Please do check out one of my favorite stories from her.

Thank you for reading and have a great day!

Poetry
Human Rights
Politics
UN
Education
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