Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Obligations
Proposal to the Universala Esperanto-Asocio (NGO in collaboration with UNO and UNESCO) 1) on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the neutral, international language Esperanto 2), aimed at complementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with considerations and recommendations about Human Obligations. 3)
PREAMBLE
Following the recognition by the United Nations General Assembly – on 10 December 1948 – that inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world;
Following the conclusion by the United Nations, that 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;
Following the conviction that 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;
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations;
Whereas in the Charter the peoples of the United Nations have clearly confirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom;
Whereas the States, Members of the United Nations, have already committed to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Considering, that the general endeavour made to fully comply with this commitment and the understanding of the rights and freedoms is constantly growing;
Convinced that a further essential major step towards the development of individual and collective awareness of human kind is desirable in the form of an addition to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights consisting of recommendations about Human Obligations;
In order to avoid that mere rights would predominantly lead to the fulfilment of individualistic personal and collective wishes, as opposed to obligations which are an invitation to take more consideration of third parties, a better understanding, tolerance and harmony;
The Universal Esperanto-Association (NGO in cooperation with UNO and UNESCO) invites the UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY to study the following considerations and recommendations in view of a possible proclamation of a Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Obligations, as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights, freedoms and obligations by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
_________
Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person, as well as the obligation to observe these features with due care to promote the balance and harmony within oneself and in society.
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6.
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
(2) Everyone has the obligation to respect the beliefs and moral convictions of others as long as these are not contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Obligations.
Article 19.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
(2) Everyone has the obligation to respect the opinions of others in the awareness that life is one in diversity and to search for similarities and common grounds which are acceptable for everyone, for all groups, associations, peoples and nations.
Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country, while observing the rules of mutual friendliness, patience and understanding and of servitude through friendship. 4)
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22.
(1) Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
(2) Everyone should aim for harmony, material and moral comfort to the benefit of the whole of humanity.
Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24.
(1) Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
(2) Everyone should consider the benefits of doing exercise, study and meditation for the development and upgrading of all aspects of individual and social life.
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.
(3) Everyone should pay attention to the physical, spiritual, intellectual and material needs of others.
Article 26.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and obligations and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
(4) Parents should consider the benefits of an education in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Obligations for their children.
Article 27.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
(3) Everyone should seriously consider the ethical consequences of his educational, scientific, artistic and journalistic creations and aim for the highest possible clarity and objectivity in terms of information and communication.
Article 28.
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights, freedoms, recommendations and obligations set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, taking into account the most reasonable obligations, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights, recommendations, obligations and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights, recommendations, obligations and freedoms set forth herein.
Rotterdam, 15 December 2012. 5)
_______________
1) 1969 Consultative Relationships (1962), category B. 1996 Relations informelles (149 EX/ONG.2) (149/EX/Dec. 7.3). 1997 Relations opérationnelles (151 EX/ONG.2) (151 EX/Dec. 9.2) 2003 Renouvellement des relations opérationnelles (166 EX/38) (166 EX/Dec.9.2)
2) Official recognition of Esperanto by the UNESCO General Assembly in Montevideo, Uruguay, 10 December 1954. Resolution IV.4.422-4224 // UNESCO records, resolution 11.11 adopted by the 23th Session of the General Conference in Sofia, Bulgaria, 8-9.10.1985.
3) Original document written in the international language Esperanto.
4) “Servitude through Friendship”, motto and emblem – original in Esperanto (Servo per amikeco) – of the International Police Association (IPA).
5) Fifteen December, official Zamenhofday in accordance with the decision of the 55th Plenary Session of the UNESCO, 1959. Circular letter of Director General René Mahieu. Doc. CL/1406 of 15.02.1960. // Dr. L. L. Zamenhof, « une personnalité importante universellement reconnue dans les domaines de l’éducation , de la science et de la culture ». Le Courrier de l'Unesco. XIIe. ANNÉE. Décembre. 1959.
Following the conclusion by the United Nations, that 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;
Following the conviction that 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;
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations;
Whereas in the Charter the peoples of the United Nations have clearly confirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom;
Whereas the States, Members of the United Nations, have already committed to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Considering, that the general endeavour made to fully comply with this commitment and the understanding of the rights and freedoms is constantly growing;
Convinced that a further essential major step towards the development of individual and collective awareness of human kind is desirable in the form of an addition to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights consisting of recommendations about Human Obligations;
In order to avoid that mere rights would predominantly lead to the fulfilment of individualistic personal and collective wishes, as opposed to obligations which are an invitation to take more consideration of third parties, a better understanding, tolerance and harmony;
The Universal Esperanto-Association (NGO in cooperation with UNO and UNESCO) invites the UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY to study the following considerations and recommendations in view of a possible proclamation of a Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Obligations, as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights, freedoms and obligations by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
_________
Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person, as well as the obligation to observe these features with due care to promote the balance and harmony within oneself and in society.
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6.
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
(2) Everyone has the obligation to respect the beliefs and moral convictions of others as long as these are not contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Obligations.
Article 19.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
(2) Everyone has the obligation to respect the opinions of others in the awareness that life is one in diversity and to search for similarities and common grounds which are acceptable for everyone, for all groups, associations, peoples and nations.
Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country, while observing the rules of mutual friendliness, patience and understanding and of servitude through friendship. 4)
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22.
(1) Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
(2) Everyone should aim for harmony, material and moral comfort to the benefit of the whole of humanity.
Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24.
(1) Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
(2) Everyone should consider the benefits of doing exercise, study and meditation for the development and upgrading of all aspects of individual and social life.
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.
(3) Everyone should pay attention to the physical, spiritual, intellectual and material needs of others.
Article 26.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and obligations and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
(4) Parents should consider the benefits of an education in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Obligations for their children.
Article 27.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
(3) Everyone should seriously consider the ethical consequences of his educational, scientific, artistic and journalistic creations and aim for the highest possible clarity and objectivity in terms of information and communication.
Article 28.
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights, freedoms, recommendations and obligations set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, taking into account the most reasonable obligations, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights, recommendations, obligations and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights, recommendations, obligations and freedoms set forth herein.
Rotterdam, 15 December 2012. 5)
_______________
1) 1969 Consultative Relationships (1962), category B. 1996 Relations informelles (149 EX/ONG.2) (149/EX/Dec. 7.3). 1997 Relations opérationnelles (151 EX/ONG.2) (151 EX/Dec. 9.2) 2003 Renouvellement des relations opérationnelles (166 EX/38) (166 EX/Dec.9.2)
2) Official recognition of Esperanto by the UNESCO General Assembly in Montevideo, Uruguay, 10 December 1954. Resolution IV.4.422-4224 // UNESCO records, resolution 11.11 adopted by the 23th Session of the General Conference in Sofia, Bulgaria, 8-9.10.1985.
3) Original document written in the international language Esperanto.
4) “Servitude through Friendship”, motto and emblem – original in Esperanto (Servo per amikeco) – of the International Police Association (IPA).
5) Fifteen December, official Zamenhofday in accordance with the decision of the 55th Plenary Session of the UNESCO, 1959. Circular letter of Director General René Mahieu. Doc. CL/1406 of 15.02.1960. // Dr. L. L. Zamenhof, « une personnalité importante universellement reconnue dans les domaines de l’éducation , de la science et de la culture ». Le Courrier de l'Unesco. XIIe. ANNÉE. Décembre. 1959.
_________________
Alphabetical list of organizations and individuals particularly committed with the subject
"Human rights and duties"
- Baha’i International Community, United Nations Office. Source URL: http://www.bic.org/statements/bahai-declaration-human-obligations-and-rights
- Faculty for Comparative Study of Religions (FVG), Antwerp, Belgium. Parntership Free University Brussels (VUB): http://www.antwerpfvg.org
- Georgetown University, Washington D.C., USA / "International Symposium on Global Ethic, -Law and Policy", (3-4. November, 2011): http://www.weltethos.org/data-ge/c-20-aktivitaeten/25b-0021-sym-washington-kueng.php
- InterAction Council, Universität Tübingen, Schweiz: http://www.weltethos.org/data-ge/c-20-aktivitaeten/21-202-politik.php- / http://interactioncouncil.org/universal-declaration-human-responsibilities
- International Council of Human Duties (ICHD) / "Trieste Declaration of Human Duties ", (a code of Ethics of Shared Responsibilities) / Prof. Rita Levi Montalcini & Prof. Sergio Paoletti / Università degli Studi di Trieste, Italia: http://www2.units.it/ichd/
- Stiftung Weltethos / Global Ethic Foundation / Fondation Ethique Planétaire / Universität Tübingen / Prof. theologie Hans Kung: http://www.weltethos.org
- Swanson David, Ma. Phil: http://www.globalresearch.ca/universal-declaration-of-human responsibilities/29700
- Tratsiakou Uladzimir Dr., Representative at the DPI/UN / International Scientific Public Union ”IAIT” / Republic of Belarus: http://tvinteltech.narod.ru/eng/UDHResp.html
- United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization (UNESCO), March 25-28, 1997, Paris: http://globalethic.org/Center/unesco.htm
- Universala Esperanto-Asocio (UEA) (NGO in cooperation with UNO and UNESCO), Rotterdam, Netherlands: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Esperanto_Association / red. Prof. Jozef Willem Haazen, State University Saint-Petersburg, Russia: http://www.univdeklar.weebly.com
- Homaj Rajtoj Retsendilo: http://homajrajtoj.org