What are Human Rights?

When contemplating human rights, the first question is what do we mean when we speak of human rights. After researching with the United Nations, I found the following quote:

"Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law..."


This is very interesting because of the obligation that it puts on the governments of the world. And it gives a reason for the race riots that have happened in the USA as recently as the LA Race Riot after the Rodney King visit. The US government does not protect human rights (Rodney King was beaten by the police, and they were NOT convicted under the laws of the USA), and, as we can see in the UN quote above, the only result is that oppressed people were COMPELLED to rebellion against tyranny and oppression.

"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."

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