UDHR – ARTICLE 19
While some of us are taking it for granted, others sacrificed their lives for us to have it. It is given to us at birth, but it is taken away from hundreds of millions of people from their first breath.
People were killed for it since the beginning of time, in the name of power: religious (i.e. Inquisition), military (so many empires built on murder) or just the need of feeling superior (i.e. racism).
Having it makes us who we are, opens the gates of creativity, humanity, happiness. Being denied it makes us useless puppets.
It works on every level of society: from basic family relations, to work environment, to globalization of human interactions.
Used properly, it is responsible for our most wonderful creations. If used for the wrong reasons, it is responsible for the worst atrocities ever committed.
Somewhere in this world, there is a 63 year old woman in prison. She was rightfully elected as the president of her country and she won the Nobel Peace Prize for peacefully fighting the military regime that is killing, torturing and abusing her nation. Aung San Suu Kyi is the symbol of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of our days, and she keeps fighting the military regime with nothing but wording her beliefs. Her beliefs that people are born free, and noone has the right to treat them otherwise. She said to the world: “Use your freedom to promote ours!”
Do you know what freedom I’m talking about? Do you know what most of the unhappy people in the world need? Are you using it at it’s best potential, or you are just following others while denying your own right?
Freedom of opinion and expression: individuals’ most powerful weapon, oppressors’ most feared enemy.
My favorite article from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
Article 19: FREEDOM OF OPINION AND EXPRESSION ARE GRANTED TO EVERYONE.
What is yours? Do you know what your rights are? Do you take them for granted? Please comment. Express your thoughts! :)
Also, don’t forget to print the UDHR poster (11×17in.- tabloid) (8.5×11in.- lettersize) and share it with everyone today. The world needs people to be aware of their Human Rights, we all need to read it at least once.
Tags: aung san suu kyi, burma, human rights, human rights day, Universal Declaration of Human Rights
In celebration of its Anniversary, “One Day for Human Rights” is an awareness campaign aimed to promote and support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
