HUMAN RIGHTS DAY (10 DECEMBER 2006) | FIGHTING POVERTY IS A MATTER OF OBLIGATION, NOT OF CHARITY

[Sapphire Blue]

Human Rights Day (10 December 2006)

On 10 December 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has become a universal standard for defending and promoting human rights. Every year on 10 December, Human Rights Day marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration. On Human Rights Day it is celebrated around the globe that "All human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms".

This year Human Rights Day focuses on fighting poverty as a matter of obligation, not of charity. Poverty is a cause and a product of human rights violations. It is this double edge that makes poverty probably the gravest human rights challenge in the world. The links between human rights and poverty should be obvious: People whose rights are denied -- victims of discrimination or persecution, for example -- are more likely to be poor. Generally they find it harder or impossible to participate in the labour market and have little or no access to basic services and resources. Meanwhile, the poor in many societies cannot enjoy their rights to education, health and housing simply because they cannot afford them. And poverty affects all human rights: for example, low income can prevent people from accessing education -- an "economic and social" right -- which in turn inhibits their participation in public life -- a "civil and political" right -- and their ability to influence policies affecting them.

Governments and those in a position of authority can, indeed are obliged to, do something about poverty. They have committed to it by overwhelmingly accepting a number of human rights treaties and by signing on to the international consensus to make poverty history, through the Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals, as well as most recently the 2005 World Summit Outcome. The realization of human rights - including the fight against poverty -- is a duty, not a mere aspiration.

Source: Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

http://www.hrea.org/feature-events/human-rights-day.php

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Article 25

1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

http://www.unhchr.ch/udhr/lang/eng.htm

The Millenium Campaign: http://www.millenniumcampaign.org/site/pp.asp?c=grKVL2NLE&b=138312

[donheld]

1. I really appreciate what you are doing and

thank you for posting. Now if you could find it in your heart to turn your shift lock key off and not type in all caps I think we'd all still get your point.

[bobbolink]

2. It's in all caps because... you haven't bothered to reply to those that aren't

:shrug:

[Sapphire Blue]

4. IT'S IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO YELL LOUD ENOUGH FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO HEAR!

:hi: Thanks for the translation, bobbolink :hug:

[bobbolink]

6. You gottta do what you gotta do! Obviously, it needs to be blasted!

Too bad the Dems are just so damned hard of hearing!

:loveya: :toast:

[nam78_two]

3. K&R.nt

[bridgit]

5. k&r'd...

:)

[bobbolink]

7. # 5! This day needs to be shouted from the rooftops!

[babylonsister]

8. K&R, and thanks for

harping on this, Sapphire Blue. You and several other DUers have opened my eyes; I'm looking for THE BEST site to donate to for the homeless and poverty-stricken, a state we could all be in.
:hi: