Human rights

• Examples of Human rights from The Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

  • Have an education
  • Be free and equal
  • Live without discrimination
  • Be free from slavery/torture
  • Everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living and medical help if they are ill
• • Human rights are the universal rights or entitlements that all people have access to, regardless of their gender, religion, race or sexuality
  • Human rights are outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was first produced by the UN in 1948 as a result of WWII and the widespread destruction that occured
  • Human rights are not laws and there are still countries where people do not have access to their human rights
  • Instead they are principles which are agreed to be the basic rights all people should have in order to have the quality and standard of life we deserve.
• Christian Practices that promote Human Rights:

  • Christians believe that every individual is sacred as they have been made "in the image of God". Therefore, every individual is worthy of respect and should be treated with the principle of agape
  • For many Christians, agape is the foundation of the Christian faith in which Jesus himself pointed to it being the utmost importance- "Love one another. As I have loved you"
  • Christians believe that they can promote human rights by putting agape into action, following Jesus' example of helping the sick and socially excluded.
• Christian practices that promote Human Rights:

  • Liberation Theology is an example of social action- God has the power to change situations in the world that are unjust. E.g Oscar Romero was a Christian who believed in Liberation Theology and spoke up against social injustice- "When we struggle for human rights, for freedom, for dignity... We are not departing from God's promise."
• Jewish practices that promote Human Rights:

  • Jews believe that all life is precious and sacred E.g The Torah states "Let us make man with our image and likeness." Therefore, men and women were created equally in the image of God leads Jews to believe that they must treat others equally and ensure that all humans are treated with dignity and respect.
• Jewish practices that Promote Human Rights:

  • Tzedakah in action: Tzedakah means 'charity'. It refers to the Jewish obligation, or mitzvah, of giving to charity as well as supporting social justice. Giving Tzedakah is one of the most important commandments for Jews.
  • E.g "Tzedakah and acts of kindness to others are the equivalent to all of the mitzvot in the Torah"