Your Choice - Personal & Social Welfare

International & European Conventions on Human Rights -  The Unadulterated Facts

In the UK & most UN countries 'These are The Law';  Dignity & Respect -  Least Restrictive Action - Tolerance & Inclusion - Anti Oppression -  Anti Discrimination - Equality of Opportunity - Equal Treatment Before the Law . . .

Lets not beat around the bush any longer. The fact is that the International Conventions on Human Rights are good social sense. Their purpose is to lead to good social order and the physical, psychological and emotional health, safety, security and dignity of all of a nation's citizens. THEY ARE ALSO THE LAW IN THIS COUNTRY. You are now entitled to politely assert and challenge any infringements of your Basic Human Rights rights. It is your responsibility.

Not a lot of people know that; and after decades, it is still one of the best kept secrets - Know your rights. We are about to tell you them. You are going to have to assert them intelligently and politely at first and then by formal action if the polite requests fail to get a reasonable response. Your assertions will initially be ignored and many of your rights will be further infringed. You must persist in asserting them, record events, get witnesses &/or get an advocate / solicitor. BUT, don't confuse Human Rights with other forms of entitlements which may have to be 'proven' in some 'equal' way.

It is important to understand that some things are just plain unacceptable; like assault, abusive, insulting, prejudicial, or undignified actions, for any reason, even by police, or any official. That said, reasonable force (the least restrictive but necessary actions), by anyone, including a police officer, to stop a person from doing something clearly injurious to them selves or others, is not an assault; is acceptable and even considered a duty. If a person is doing something criminal, a police officer can use reasonable force to arrest them and anyone can use reasonable force to stop crime.

Any Restrictions on Normal Rights must be Legitimate, Proportionate and the Least Restrictive:
All actions and comment, by anybody, at any time, for any reason, any where; should be appropriate, proportionate and least restrictive to your entitlements to freedom of actions and speech, provide you similarly respect the rights of others. Parents, Bosses, Police, Court Officers, and some other Officials have specific, limited powers that they can apply on the behalf of us all, but these also have to be proportionate, least restrictive & equal to the treatment of others.

Why is it so difficult to get people to Stand Up For and Accept Our Human Rights?:

• Well, firstly, because it seems difficult to understand these concepts and why we should need them. We are so used to being pushed around and bullied (or pushing people around and bullying) that it has become the 'Norm'.
• It is because we are fearful and in being fearful we tend to be angry, or aggressive towards infringements of reasonable Right, nullifying those Rights somewhat, by our own abuses. (See: Chicken Pecking Order).
• Thirdly, we think that Human Rights are designed for other unfortunate people, in other countries, far away from us in time and place. Actually, Human Rights Directives apply mostly to deprivations by the Developed World.
• Fourthly, we have got used to the 'benefits' that we accrue by treating others with less consideration than ourselves (See: Chicken Pecking Order). We delude ourselves into believing that we have 'privilege'.
• We enjoy the relative power and status gained, by treating others with contempt and indignity. This has meant that we failed to see that our fundamental rights are undermined by this. We therefore stay quiet.

We can not understand the importance of protecting others rights, so that our own rights remain protected. We moan about the effects of others behaviour, when they 'react' to the atrocious conditions, abuses, or the relative deprivations that they experience. You could be joining them soon.

Sadly, the people who are most likely to consider other's Human Rights are most likely to do more to help. In doing so they are more likely to have their own Rights abused and neglected. People who most benefit from the abuses of Rights will do all they can to defend their position. Be clever in your stand against them.

What goes around, comes around: Stop whingeing and speak up for your Rights & the Rights of others! These are being undermined as we speak and when we react to this you will see what is in stall for us.
READ MORE LINK: Your Human Rights - Also see links and stories below.

© Terry Couchman, June 18th 2009

STAND UP FOR OTHERS RIGHTS & you protect your own: Human Rights ; Disability Rights ; Human Rights Series