Evolution of Human Rights in the Dominican Republic PDF

# PRIMERA PARTE: EVOLUCION HISTORICA DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS. - Derechos Humanos are a relatively new term but the concept is not. - The concept of Human Rights is rooted in the struggles of individuals against rulers and totalitarian regimes. - Human Rights are inherent to the condition of humanit...

# PRIMERA PARTE: EVOLUCION HISTORICA DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS. - Derechos Humanos are a relatively new term but the concept is not. - The concept of Human Rights is rooted in the struggles of individuals against rulers and totalitarian regimes. - Human Rights are inherent to the condition of humanity and have existed since the dawn of man. - When men organized themselves into societies, some sought to impose their will over others, which marks the origin of Human Rights. # I.- Los Derechos Humanos en la Antiguedad. - - Religion and philosophy emphasized liberty and equality. - The concept of equality was reinforced by Christianity as all men are children of God and created in His image. - In practice, societies were organized into classes, with some enjoying privileges denied to others. - Some classes, like those in Ancient Athens, enjoyed equality, even going as far as to be granted the right to participate in public life. # II.- Los Derechos Humanos en la Edad Media. - - This era saw the origins of modern human rights doctrine. - The _Carta Magna_ was the first document that subjugated the king's power to the law made by Parliament. - The work of Francisco de Vitoria, _De Jure Belli_, addressed the rights of men in times of war. - He condemned abusive treatment of conquered peoples, even going against the actions of Spanish conquerors against Native Americans. # III.- Los Derechos Humanos en los Siglos XVII y XVIII. – - This period saw a clear evolution from vague ideas of human rights to a more defined, and refined context, heavily influenced by philosophy and politics. - Key figures in this period include Locke, Bayle, Thomasius, Wolff, the French encyclopedists, Voltaire and others. - Their liberal philosophical ideas inspired the movement for equality. - Important documents from this era are: - _Petition of Right_ (1628), protecting personal and property rights. - _Act of Habeas Corpus_ (1679), forbidding detention without judicial order. - _Declaration of Rights_ (1689), reinforcing previous rights. - **Two important historical events** mark this period. - The **Declaration of Independence of the United States** in 1776. - The war stemmed from British trade policies, but it quickly became a fight for human rights. - The _Declaration of Rights_ (Virginia, 1776) was an early catalog of individual and citizen rights. - The _Declaration of Independence_ (1776) declared the rights of all men to equality, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. - These rights could only be secured by a government based on the consent of the governed. - If the government violated those rights, the people had the right to overthrow it, and create a new one. - The **French Revolution**. - The French Revolution, inspired by Enlightenment thought, led to the end of absolutism and the adoption of the _Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen_. - The _Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen_ (1789) was a document outlining the fundamental liberties of all men, including: - Liberty - Property - Security - Resistance to oppression. - Sovereignty residing with the Nation. # IV.- Los Derechos Humanos de la Postguerra. --- - The 19th century saw the strengthening of internal human rights in the new world, though international action focused mainly on the struggle against the slave trade. - The 20th century saw an explosion of progress towards universal rights, thanks to both global and regional action. - **Global developments:** - The most significant international instruments on human rights were created by the UN (United Nations). - The _Universal Declaration of Human Rights_ (1948) established a framework for recognizing and honoring human rights globally. - These rights include: - Life - Liberty - Person, property, and moral security, - Equality - Nationality - Marriage - Work. - The _Human Rights Covenants_ (1966): - _International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights_ - _International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights_. - The _Optional Protocol of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights_ (1976) allowed individuals to appeal to the UN on human rights violations. - **Regional developments:** - The **European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms** (1950) created a legal framework for protecting human rights in Europe. - The **American Convention on Human Rights** (1969) does the same for the Americas, and establishes a mechanism for resolving disputes. # V.- Los Derechos Humanos en la República Dominicana. -- - The fight for human rights in the Dominican Republic dates back to the colonial period. - Friar Antonio Montesino, during a sermon, accused the authorities of mistreating the Indigenous population, leading to the formation of the Junta de Burgos. - This Junta was tasked with writing a declaration of principles promoting the rights of Indigenous people. While this declaration was not immediately enacted, it marked a critical step towards recognizing their rights. - The 1844 Manifesto and Constitution were positive steps in establishing human rights in the Dominican Republic but were hampered by the repressive policies of then President Santana who sought to ignore human rights. - In 1854, the Constitution was reformed, repealing the most egregious Article 210, which restricted human rights. - Ulises Espaillat, President from 1876-1878, promoted freedom of speech and granted amnesty to political exiles, continuing the fight for human rights in the Dominican Republic. - Today, the Dominican Republic is a vibrant democracy where human rights are celebrated and protected. - The country has signed many international treaties, including the _Universal Declaration of Human Rights_, and _Human Rights Covenants_. - It established the _National Commission for Refugees_ (1977), and the _National Commission to Combat Racism_ (1966). - It has also ratified the _American Convention on Human Rights_, and agreed to the jurisdiction of the _Inter-American Commission on Human Rights_, and the _Inter-American Court on Human Rights_. - The Dominican Republic has even declared a special day for celebrating human rights. - The current President, Salvador Jorge Blanco, has consistently defended human rights, including the right to life, liberty, education, work, and property. - He has ensured the implementation of various measures to safeguard these rights. - The Dominican Republic is a shining example of a nation committed to the protection of human rights. - The country has a long path ahead, but it has made significant progress in recognizing and upholding human rights.