Dwell upon human rights violation

Human rights are commonly understood as “fundamental rights to which a person is inherently [ɪ n'her(ə)ntlɪ ] entitled simply because she or he is a human being”. Human rights are thus conceived as universal (applicable everywhere) and egalitarian [ɪ gæ lɪ 'teə rɪ ə n] (уравнительные) (the same for everyone).

The doctrine of human rights within international law, global and regional institutions, in the activities of non-governmental organizations, has been a cornerstone of public policy around the world. Many of the basic ideas that animated the human rights movement developed in the aftermath ['ɑ: ftə mɑ: θ ] (последствия) of the Second World War and the atrocities [ə 'trɔ sə tɪ ] (злодеяния) of The Holocaust ['hɔ lə kɔ: st], culminating in the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Paris by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The ancient world did not possess the concept of universal human rights.

Human rights abuses are monitored by United Nations committees, national institutions and governments and by many independent non-governmental organizations, such as Amnesty International, International Federation of Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, World Organisation Against Torture, Freedom House.

Human rights advocates agree that, sixty years after its issue, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is still more a dream than reality. Violations exist in every part of the world. For example, Amnesty International’s 2009 World Report and other sources show that individuals are:

· Tortured or abused in at least 81 countries

· Face unfair trials in at least 54 countries

· Restricted in their freedom of expression in at least 77 countries

Not only that, but women and children in particular are marginalized in numerous ways, the press is not free in many countries, and dissenters [dɪ 'sentə ] (сектанты) have their practices. While some steps have been made, human rights violations still plague the world today.

According to the article 3 we have the right to live free – “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person”. But:

· An estimated 6, 500 people were killed in 2007 in armed conflict in Afghanistan—nearly half being noncombatant civilian deaths at the hands of insurgents. Hundreds of civilians were also killed in suicide attacks by armed groups.

· In Brazil in 2007, according to official figures, police killed at least 1, 260 individuals. All incidents were officially labeled “acts of resistance” and received little or no investigation.

· In Uganda, 1, 500 people die each week in the internally displaced person camps.

According to the article 4 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there should be no slavery – “No one shall be held in slavery; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms”. But:

· In northern Uganda, the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) have kidnapped 20, 000 children over the past twenty years and forced them into service as soldiers or sexual slaves for the army.

· The US State Department estimates 820, 000 men, women and children are trafficked across international borders each year, half of whom are minors, including record numbers of women and girls fleeing from Iraq. In nearly all countries, including Canada, the US and the UK, deportation or harassment are the usual governmental responses.

Article 5 insists upon the world without the torture – “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading (унизительный) treatment or punishment”. But:

· In 2008, US authorities continued to hold 270 prisoners in Cuba, without charge, subjecting them to “water-boarding, ” torture. Former-President George W. Bush authorized to continue secret detention (арест, заключение), despite the violation of international law.

Article 13 certifies freedom to move – 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”.

· In Algeria, refugees and asylum-seekers [ə 'saɪ lə m] (убежище) were frequent victims of detention (арест, задержание) and ill treatment.

According to the article 18 everyone has freedom of thought – “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”.

· In China, Falun Gong practitioners were singled out for torture and other abuses while in detention. Christians were persecuted for practicing their religion outside state-sanctioned channels.

· In Kazakhstan, local authorities in a community near Almaty authorized the destruction of twelve homes, all belonging to Hare Krishna members.

Human rights exist, as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They are recognized—at least in principle—by most nations and form the heart of many national constitutions. Yet the actual situation in the world is far distant from the ideals envisioned (в воображении) in the Declaration.

But to some, the full realization of human rights is a remote and unattainable goal. Even international human rights laws are difficult to enforce and can take years and a great deal of money. These international laws serve as a restraining function but are insufficient to provide adequate human rights protection, as evidenced by the stark reality of abuses perpetrated daily. Unfortunately, discrimination is rampant throughout the world. Thousands are in prison for speaking their minds.

But we can make a difference. By advocating the human rights, by taking part in meeting and demonstrations devoted to defence of our and everybody’s human rights.