Human Rights & the Good Life

Introduction

• Evaluating contemporary human experience is necessary to strengthen the human person's role in society.
• Discussing the importance of human rights in changing social conditions and technological advancement is crucial.
• Identifying laws or policies that protect a person's well-being in technological advancement and ethical dilemmas is important.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

• Living in a just and progressive society where citizens can flourish defines the good life.
• Individuals should have the autonomy to make choices that facilitate personal and societal growth.
• The UN General Assembly proclaimed the UDHR on December 10, 1948.
• The UDHR serves as a global standard for fundamental human rights, advocating for universal recognition and protection.
• The UDHR begins with the recognition of inherent dignity and equal, inalienable rights for all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace.
• Everyone inherently possesses absolute moral worth by virtue of being human.
• Humandignity is an integral core value of people's existence.
• Recognizing and appreciating this truth in everyone helps create a just and progressive society.
• Through human dignity, society becomes more free, rational, and loving society.
• Empowerment leads to greater freedom in making life choices.
• Valuing and applying logic and science in life promotes rationality.
• Prioritizing human dignity ensures a more loving approach in all endeavors, whether scientific or not.
• Protecting fundamental human rights is vital in the face of changing conditions.

UDHR Details

• The UDHR is comprised of 30 articles outlining fundamental human rights.
• It establishes inalienable human rights essential for pursuing a fulfilling life, guaranteeing freedoms for everyone by virtue of being human.
• The first article emphasizes the principle of being human in a just, free, and rational society, stating all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
• Experientially, the inherent equality may not always be evident.
• Individuals with more to offer are often given preferential treatment.
• A just life demands equal treatment and preferential treatment for the less privileged.
• The first seven articles of the UDHR embody the essence of this “milestone document in the history of the human rights."

UDHR Articles

• Article 1 guarantees that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
• Article 2 states everyone is entitled to rights and freedoms without distinction, including race, color, sex, language, religion, political opinion, national origin, property, birth, or other status.
• Article 3 declares everyone's right to life, liberty, and security of person.
• Article 4 prohibits slavery and the slave trade in all forms.
• Article 5 prohibits torture, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
• Article 6 recognizes the right to recognition as a person before the law.
• Article 7 ensures equality before the law and equal protection without discrimination.
• Article 8 ensures access to a remedy for rights violations and access to nation tribunals.
• Article 9 prohibits arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile.
• Article 10 states everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal to determine their rights and obligations.
• Article 11 affirms the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law with all necessary guarantees for defense.
• Article 11 also states one cannot be held guilty for acts that were not offenses at the time of commission and prohibits heavier penalties than applicable at the time of the offense.
• Article 12 guards against arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home, or reputation.
• Article 13 ensures freedom of movement, residence within each state, and the right to return.
• Article 14 states the right to seek asylum from persecution, unless arising from non-political crimes against the UN.
• Article 15 ensures the right to a nationality and that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of their nationality or denied the right to change it.
• Article 16 states all adults can marry and raise a family so long as it is consenting and entitled to protection.
• Article 17 secures the right to own property alone or in association with others, protecting against arbitrary deprivation.
• Article 18 establishes freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
• This includes freedom to change his religion or belief whether teaching, practice, worship and obserance.
• Article 19 guarantees freedom of opinion and expression.
• This includes the freedom to seek, receive, impart information through any media.
• Article 20 ensures the right to peaceful assembly and association.
• Article 21 ensures the right to participate in government and equal access to public service.
• Article 21 states the will of the people shall be the basis of government authority and elections shall be periodic.
• Article 22 includes the right to social security as well as the necessity for international cooperation that is in alignment with the states’ values.
• Article 23 promises the right to work, just and favourable conditions, and protection against unemployment.
• Article 23 grants everyone equal pay for equal work without discrimination.
• Article 23 states there must be favourable remuneration to ensure the existence of human dignity.
• Article 23 states there must be rights to join trade unions for the protection of interests.
• Article 24 states everyone must have the right to rest and leisure that has reasonable measure.
• Article 25 secures health, well being, clothing, housing, services, and security.
• Article 25 secures special care to motherhood and children.
• Article 26 grants everyone the right to education.
• Article 26 states elementary education shall be free, while professional education shall be made available.
• Article 26 furthers respects for human rights as well as promoting tolerance and friendship.
• Article 26 ensures that parents can choose the kind of education that shall be given to children.
• Article 27 guarantees the right to participate in cultural life, enjoy the arts, and share in scientific advancement.
• Article 27 protects the rights of any scientific, literary or artistic production of which one is the author.
• Article 28 entitles everyone to the realization of the social and international order.
• Article 29 ensures the duties of communal responsibility.
• Article 29 states the freedoms and rights may no exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the UN.
• Article 30 says nothing may be interpreted to support anything that destroys rights.
• Crafted in 1948, after World War II, the UDHR sets the standard of what each person’s fundamental rights are.
• These are meant to be adopted by everyone everywhere to prevent injustice.

Human Rights in the Philippines

• The 1987 Philippine Constitution, specifically Article II, includes declarations of principles and state policies.
• Section 11 of Article II values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.
• Section 1 states there must be due process and that no person shall be denied equal protection.
• Section 2 safeguards against unreasonable searches and seizures.
• Section 3 (1) protects the privacy of communication, except by court order or as required by public safety.
• Section 3 (2) renders evidence obtained in violation of the preceding sections inadmissible in any proceeding.