HISTORY OF HUMAN RIGHTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Human rights is both a necessity and responsibility to have. But human rights is not preconceived or presupposed. It went through a long process for the concept of human rights to be developed to what we have today. Let us learn more about the history of human rights.
BACKGROUND
The nature of Human Rights and its global definnition.
Preamble of the UN Charter states:
We the peoples of the United Nations [are] determined... to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small.
Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more.
International human rights law lays down the obligations of Governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups.
ORIGIN
How did Human Rights first evolve?
First Human Rights Declaration:
Originally, people had rights only because of their membership in a group, such as a family. Then, in 539 BC, Cyrus the Great, after conquering the city of Babylon, did something totally unexpected—he freed all slaves to return home. Moreover, he declared people should choose their own religion. The Cyrus Cylinder, a clay tablet containing his statements, is the first human rights declaration in history.
1215:
The Magna Carta
It gave people new rights and made the king (King John) subject to the law.
The Magna Carta became a powerful symbol of liberty around the world.
1628:
The Petition of Right
The Petition of Right is a major British constitutional document (that is still in force today), recognizing four key principles of government:
1. no taxation without the consent of Parliament
2. no imprisonment without cause
3. no quartering of soldiers on subjects,
4. no martial law in peace-time.
1776:
The United States: Declaration of Independence
A section of the constitution, referred to as the declaration of natural rights, explains that every citizen is born with certain rights that should never be taken away: "we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness." (Declaration of Independence, 1776)
1789:
DECLARATION OF: The Rights of Man & Citizen
Equality, free, and maintaining of rights. In general terms, all men receive and enact equality even before laws (Brittanica, 2022).
All people were guarded by the law to free speech within the bounds of the laws. This was established to protect every citizen while maintaining their actions to abide by the Civic Matters in society.
DEVELOPMENT
The Development of Human Rights on a global scale, and in the Philippines.
A multitude of other treaties and documents have clarified and further developed some of the basic concepts that were laid down in the original UDHR, thus envisaging new generations of rights. These additions have been a result of a number of factors, partly as a response to progressively modified ideas about human dignity, and partly as a result of new emerging threats and opportunities.
Switzerland: Implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights https://www.un.org/ruleoflaw/blog/portfolio-items/switzerland-implementation-of-the-european-convention-on-human-rights/#
People Power Revolution
Also known as the EDSA People Power Revolution that lasted for 3 days back in February 22-25, 1986, served as a stepping stone for the Filipinos to claim back democracy in the Philippines after the long dictatorship of Former President Ferdinand Marcos.
1987 Philippine Constitution
The 1987 Philippine Constitution primarily gave CHR or the Commission on Human Rights the mandate to protect and promote the rights and dignity of every human being in the country. The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights. (CHR, 1987)
People Power Revolution II
The second EDSA People Power happened back in 2001, which lasted for 4 days (January 16-20, 2001), aiming to overthrow or impeach Former President Joseph Estrada for his corrupt acts, plunder, and purjery.
- Museo ng Karapatang Pantao -
a virtual museum on Human Rights. This virtual museum tackles the definition of human rights and its history, background, origin, universal declaration, and its manifestations through societal issues, cultural behavior, and politics in the Philippines: through a series of featured articles, write-ups, videos, photos, and the latest events on today's Human Rights Movement.
Resources
Resources:
BACKGROUND:
ORIGIN:
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2022, December 9). Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Declaration-of-the-Rights-of-Man-and-of-the-Citizen
DEVELOPMENT:
Rappler.com. (2017, January 17). Looking back at EDSA II: The political paths of Estrada and Arroyo. RAPPLER. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/158523-look-back-edsa-ii-joseph-estrada-gloria-arroyo/
SpotPH . (n.d.). What if the People Power Revolution Never Happened? https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/the-latest-news-features/69414/what-if-marcos-won-a1507-20170225-lfrm2
Commission on Human Rights. (n.d.) Republic of The Philippines: Commission on Human Rights https://chr.gov.ph/aboutus/#:~:text=The%201987%20Philippine%20Constitution%20primarily,full%20respect%20for%20human%20rights.