RIGHTS

What you are about to read is my own particular view and experience of life. It is neither a scientific, sociological or political thesis. It might sound silly, maybe shocking. Either way, this discussion does not intent to convince anyone to agree with it. The only outcome hoped for from the audience reading is, reflection and maybe analysis or constructive criticism of the content. You may or may not identify yourself with the context and may or may not, gather some insights from it. Any response is a positive response, if only laughter.

RIGHTS

Human rights by definition are: “basic rights which many societies believe that all humans should have.” (Collins Dictionary) The words “believe” and “should” in this sentence describe the reality we have been living in over many, many years. Many of us still “believe” they we have rights, even though they may not seem applicable to everyone. In reality, the majority has realised they “should have” rights. Human rights are embedded to ensure people´s wellbeing and development, irrespective of their culture and background. Humankind has been fighting for its rights since the dawn of civilisation. Rulers make their own laws, for their own kind and they outline duties for all yet rights for the few. In some way, we are all responsible for the societal injustice, be it locally, nationally or globally.

Human rights in “the free world” are defined as the universal freedoms we enjoy and are enshrined in law. These freedoms are in theory guaranteed from birth to death, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status of consequence. They are in theory based on shared values like dignity, fairness, equality, respect, and independence. It is an idealistic concept, that has not yet been fully achieved. In reality, it is a fantasy that does not apply to everyone but is based on hope. To enjoy our rights, we must accept our social duties: respect and tolerance towards those who are similar to or different from ourselves. Human rights can only exist and be acceptable if they do not interfere with somebody else´s freedom. This means that we must consider other individualities beyond our own perspective and convictions.

The human struggle over the years has always been driven by an aspiration to be free. Some delusionally think that their freedom allows them to do everything they please irrespective of the consequences. Freedom is not something that is given; it is won with respect, comprehension, tolerance, empathy and hard work. Life must have a structure; otherwise, we would still be living as primates. This structure is a social system that defines our rights and what is not acceptable. Hence, rights can be very subjective and fluid and vary between different cultures, backgrounds, beliefs, interests, social and political convictions.

Addressing human rights is never an easy subject to discuss, but that discussion must take place for the wellbeing and improvement of humankind. This whole debate leads to clashes with many social ideologies, ways of living, religion doctrines, principles, values, local, national and international laws, social equality and justice, political agendas and so on. At the end of the day, all these areas are not only part of our lives, but also part what we are responsible for. When people choose their representatives, those representatives have been delegated to look after their best interests inclusively and without exception. History and contemporary times show us how challenging it is to have a genuinely unbiased secular representation in society, one with a fair approach and transparent actions. It just takes one bad seed to spread harm through society, and many more good ones to deal with the damage and consequences.

Since the dawn of time, for some people it is inconceivable that we should all enjoy the same rights, opportunities and privileges. Small groups of “thinkers” have assumed that many of us would not be able to discern what could be in our best interests. The “thinkers” make decisions on behalf of those who they consider to be “less sensible or capable”. Societies have been divided and represented by these people who consider themselves to have more clarity when it comes to issues relating to social needs. These people can be found in “high” positions within social, intellectual, political and religious spheres. They believe, their way is the only way that societies can be civilised and live in harmony within others, be they from the same culture and background or otherwise.

One complexity with human rights is what a specific right can mean to those who are not directly involved with those affected by the right. Prejudice, assumption and judgement from those with opposing views is a barrier to establishing rights for all. Those in opposition may feel threatened by what they do not comprehend or what maybe contrary to their beliefs and codes of social conduct. So often, these opposing sides cause more pain and damage for the sake of maintaining their egocentric principles. Secular or otherwise, opposing sides have controlled societies for centuries. Clearly, we are not all evolving at the same pace, many never learning lessons from the past.  Instead, we continue to write history in blood.

The majority of people only recognise the need for and the importance of human rights when they find themselves in challenging situations. At such times, they may feel vulnerable and hence more sympathetic towards others. Otherwise, such challenging situations may not concern them. People see and react to all kinds of disturbing news: starvation, conflict, domestic violence, toxic workplaces, derelict public spaces, social intolerance. Many choose to be immune to such things, seeing them as overwhelming, repetitive and unwanted clichés. These people are not affected directly or in obvious ways by such things. This denial of reality has driven people away from their social responsibilities and only serves to escalate these issues. Hence, human rights have been eroded globally.

This whole concept of human rights is a utopia that many people pretend to believe it.  Others know that it is an ongoing battle. Even though there are many laws designed to promote the protection and wellbeing of citizens, they are not always observed. Criminal justice systems have not only failed with their processes, but also with how they are actioned. There are approximately 8.2 billion people, living in 195 countries on our planet with thousands of different creeds. Addressing human rights will never be an easy task, only ever work in progress. If laws regarding human rights are enshrined for all people who may need them and honour their choices without exception, humankind is at least evolving.

Human rights address many controversial issues that may clash with particular views. They should empower individuals to make informed and acceptable choices for themselves. None of us can deny somebody else the right to do something that may go against our own personal principles if is in their best interests to do so. We are not on their shoes, and we do not feel what they feel. One day, we may find ourselves in their situation and we may not receive support, because we previously opposed a right that affords protection. We are all but human and never far from a fragile and vulnerable space. Hence, all rights, no matter how controversial they may be, must be granted unconditionally.

Within some societies, social, political and religious restrictions are seen by outsiders as violating human rights, even as abominations. In many cases, they may not be seen as such by those who are inserted into the systems. We all have exactly the same basic human needs, irrespective of our differences. The influential forces that have caused divergence are manipulating their systems in an attempt to avoid the disruption of their social structures. Those forces do not operate transparently, manoeuvring and limiting human right for their own benefits. Their strategy is focused exclusively on two things: power and money. These are the two fuels for a disguised engine that enforces universal control.

We are all part of an audience that passively watches the constraints imposed on our societies. When human rights are infringed this leads to misery and sorrow amongst many people, nations and cultures. There is no place on our planet that is far from our own doorstep these days and we are all affected in some way by all kinds of unbalanced forces. Everything that happens across the globe, affects our lives somehow on some level. We do not necessarily have to agree with human rights, but we must respect them. They may not be relevant to us, but they definitely will be to others. If self-centred individuals or groups oppose and restrict these rights, both sides lose.

There will always be controversial issues to discuss about human rights. It is of paramount importance that ensuing discussions are constructive and impartial and are in everyone’s best interests. Only then can new laws be enacted that will guarantee the rights being recognised and actioned when they are needed. If there are no laws to protect our rights, people may seek protection in illicit ways. This can cause much more harm than if supportive laws had been in place. Our human rights should guarantee that we can make informed choices and find solutions in safe and protected spaces.

We all face different challenges in life. Some challenges are personal to us and others are common challenges to the majority on a regular basis. Some challenges are conventional, others are not. We can all learn from the challenges others face. A woman’s right to choose is a good example. More lives are lost than saved through backstreet abortions. With protective rights in place, those involved can enjoy legal protection and safe medical support to decide by themselves what is in their best interests. Irrespective of your convictions, it remains a fact that abortions will take place for many different reasons. Is it not a woman’s right to be supported and not judged about the decisions she makes about her own body?  If a political party does not allow its citizens the freedom of choice, is it really acting in their best interests? Without freedom, there can be no real evolution. A creed that does not show compassion towards its members will only result in misery and delusion. Those who enforce their views through punishment, limitation and violation should take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror. Will they like what they see or realise their views are entirely irrelevant?

There are many other complex issues to discuss where consensus is challenging to reach within a legal framework: surrogacy, genetic engineering, human cloning, political executions, arbitrary arrests and so on. Human rights are being infringed indiscriminately and sometimes violently across the world on a daily basis. There are physical attacks, torture, killings, rapes, clampdowns on free speech and access to information. There is discrimination in employment, gender inequality, restricted access to health and education and the right to assemble and many more. Other extreme examples of infringed rights are: access to all literature, to vote in a free and democratic election, to speak without restriction, to listen to all forms of music, to learn whatever you please, the right to dance, the right to work in any field, the right to study, the right to love whoever choose, to enjoy your childhood, the right to develop freely in a free world.

The violation of human rights is both immoral and inhumane. Those who decide what should or should not be classified as human rights must work in collaboration with those who will offer protection: a partnership with those in charge to defend everyone´s best interests. This must be Irrespective of personal convictions and focused only on the wellbeing of every single individual living on our planet. Human rights are not about what A, B or C agree or disagree to according to their personal views, but about looking after A to Z. It is about society providing the basics tools for all of us to live in harmony, firstly, with ourselves, then with others. It is about taking ownership of your own decisions and choices, hard though that may be at times. It is about being supported and protected by universal authorities, no matter who you are or where you come from. It is about the freedom to be who you are and develop your full potential whilst protecting yourself from harm or harming others. Your decisions and choices may sometimes offend somebody else´s feelings, principles, values or way of living, but the other party must learn to understand and respect your decisions. Only then, can we finally call the social environment we are living in a civilisation.

What goes around, comes around.

Leandro Bernardes, 2024.