Human Rights

On December 10, 1948, the United Nations promulgated the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (UDHR) as an immediate response to the atrocities committed during the two World
Wars. It was not only a reaction to historical events but the establishment of an ideology
painstakingly constructed over at least 2,500 years, aiming to ensure minimal conditions for
survival and growth for every human being, in any country, and under any circumstances, within
an environment of respect, peace, equality, and freedom.

The universal character of the UDHR was one of the document's main innovations, along with
the broad scope of its themes, as individual countries had already issued principles or legal texts
affirming fundamental rights inherent to human condition. The most famous case is the
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, signed in October 1789 by revolutionary
France.

Comprising a preamble and 30 articles addressing issues such as freedom, equality, dignity,
food, housing, and education, the UDHR is today the most translated document in the world,
reaching 500 languages and dialects. It has inspired other international documents and systems
with similar goals and has found its way into the constitutions of both new and old countries
through the incorporation of principles and fundamental rights. While fundamental rights were
already acknowledged in the Brazilian Constitution of 1946, it was in the 1988 Constitution that
the "prevalence of human rights" was emphasized.

Adopted from an internationalist, multilateral perspective, the UDHR, according to various

observers, celebrates seven decades amid the turbulence of the resurgence of political and
cultural trends that reject human rights in various parts of the globe.

On the occasion of World Peace Day on September 21, UNESCO Director-General Audrey
Azoulay warned about "the proliferation of populism and extremism, which constitute an
obstacle to the ideals of peace and universal rights."

Peace will be imperfect and fragile unless everyone benefits from it. Human rights are universal
or they are not — emphasized the head of UNESCO.

This echoed the premise established by René Cassin, considered the architect of the universality
of the charter. Cassin, the French representative in the commission that drafted the declaration,
asserted that international peace would only be possible if human rights were equally respected
everywhere.

The clamor for these rights, therefore, does not cease. It is increasingly articulated in actions by
governments, organizations like Amnesty International, non-governmental organizations, and
civil society. However, questioning the dictates of this statute, once rarely challenged, creates an
atmosphere of uncertainty and, at times, pessimism. This sentiment is not merely a manifestation
of subjectivity: a UN Brazil report states that 87,000 women worldwide were victims of
homicide in 2017. Of this group, approximately 50,000 — or 58% — were killed by intimate
partners or relatives. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) notes a
stagnation of progress in protecting women in domestic settings.

Although the vast majority of homicide victims are men, women continue to pay the highest
price as a result of gender inequality and discrimination and negative stereotypes — declared the
head of the international organization, Yury Fedotov.

Senator Regina Sousa, president of the Human Rights and Participatory Legislation Committee
(CDH) of the Senate, considers it regrettable that the world has not taken significant steps in 70
years.

The confusion in the conception of human rights was intentional. The world and Brazilian elite
put in people's heads that human rights are the rights of criminals. And it's not [like that]. They
are the rights of people to housing, health, education, transportation, cities designed for people,
the rights of the black population against racism, the right not to be enslaved, the rights of the
LGBT population not to be killed. Even the criminal has their rights, deserves decent treatment
evaluated the senator after announcing a public hearing with representatives of various categories
working in this field scheduled for this Monday afternoon (10).

While cases of slavery are discovered near the capital of Brazil, the murder of a Rio de Janeiro
councilwoman and human rights advocate who worked in areas controlled by drug trafficking
and militias remains shrouded in mystery. The motives and authors of the crime have not been
clarified to date. The likely execution of Marielle Franco caused indignation worldwide and
prompted statements from Pope Francis himself. Nine months after its occurrence, Amnesty
International calls for a resolution to the case, as does the president of CDH.
Human Rights: A Historical Journey

The historical trajectory of human rights is a comprehensive and intricate narrative that reached
its zenith with the formalization of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948.
This seminal document, endorsed by a multitude of nations, was crafted with the lofty ambition
of achieving universality in its application. The evolutionary course of this journey was
characterized by a mosaic of political, cultural, and legal events that significantly contributed to
the development of the fundamental concept of human identity.

Cyrus Cylinder (539 B.C.):

The earliest attributed declaration of human rights dates back to the Cyrus Cylinder, where the
ancient Persian king, Cyrus, freed slaves, promoted religious freedom, and established racial
equality upon conquering Babylon in 539 B.C.

Prometheus Bound (462-459 B.C.):

Aeschylus's tragedy reflects on the punishment imposed on Prometheus by Zeus, exploring the
emergence of culture and civilization, highlighting the beginning of the human condition.

Antigone (442 B.C.):

Sophocles, in his work, challenges tyranny by addressing natural law, advocating for moral
principles and justice inherent to the human condition.

Roman Law (6th Century A.D.):

By order of Emperor Justinian, the norms of the Roman Empire were codified, establishing a
legal legacy that continues to protect humanity.

Magna Carta (1215):

The Magna Carta, a precursor to constitutional law, was crucial in the struggle for freedom,
influencing the development of modern democracy.
Petition of Right (1628):

Amid conflicts between Parliament and King Charles I, the Petition of Right reaffirmed
fundamental freedoms, foreshadowing amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Liberalism (1681):

John Locke proposed the idea of consensual government, highlighting rights such as life, liberty,
property, and resistance to tyranny.

Glorious Revolution and Bill of Rights (1688-1689):

Marking the end of British monarchical absolutism, it increased parliamentary power and set
conditions for the Industrial Revolution.

Enlightenment (18th Century):

An intellectual movement centered on reason, advocating for freedom, progress, tolerance,

constitutional government, and the separation of church and state.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789):

Resulting from the French Revolution, though echoing principles of natural law, it has not yet
achieved universality.

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873):

English philosopher, advocate of political liberalism and individual freedoms, including

women's emancipation.

Abolition of the Slave Trade (1807):

England declares the trade illegal, with Brazil later joining.

Civil Disobedience (1849):

Thoreau advocates for nonviolent civil resistance as a response to injustice.

End of Slavery in the U.S. (1863):

Abraham Lincoln proclaims emancipation, followed by the Declaration of Rights in 1875.

Suffragism (1883):

New Zealand grants women the right to vote, marking the global movement for gender equality.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948):

Announced by the UN, it establishes fundamental rights, serving as the basis for international
treaties.

Amnesty International (1961):

Emerged after the arrest of students, advocating for freedom and human rights.

Same-Sex Marriage (1989):

Denmark establishes civil union for homosexuals, a milestone in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

International Criminal Court (2002):

Created to judge individuals suspected of committing crimes against human rights.

The importance of human rights

Human rights serve a fundamental purpose in promoting the dignity, equality, and freedom of all
human beings. These rights are established to ensure that every individual, regardless of their
origin, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or any other
characteristic, is treated with respect and justice.
Some essential purposes of human rights:

Human Dignity:

Human rights are crucial in protecting the inherent dignity of every human being. They ensure
that all individuals are treated with respect and consideration.

Equality:

Human rights aim to guarantee equality before the law and equal opportunities for all people
without discrimination.

Freedom and Autonomy:

Human rights protect individual freedoms, including freedom of expression, freedom of thought,
freedom of religion, and personal autonomy.

Justice:

Human rights serve as an essential foundation for justice. They establish ethical and legal
standards to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and has access to appropriate remedies in case
of violations.

Protection against Abuses:

Human rights protect against abuses by the State and other individuals or entities. They set
limits on power and authority to prevent violations of fundamental rights.

Human Development:

Ensuring basic rights, such as education, health, and housing, contributes to the holistic
development of individuals and societies.
Peace and Stability:

The promotion of human rights contributes to the creation of more just, peaceful, and stable
societies. Respect for human rights is often associated with conflict prevention.

Global Responsibility:

Human rights have a global character and promote mutual responsibility among nations to
ensure that ethical and legal standards are upheld on an international scale.

In summary, human rights are essential to creating a world where every individual can live with
dignity, justice, and freedom, irrespective of their condition or place of residence. These rights
serve as an ethical and legal guide for human interaction in all spheres of life.