Monday, 10 April 2023

Who Is The Creator Of Human Rights?

Who Is The Creator Of  Human Rights?

Who Is The Creator Of Human Rights?



Human rights are a fundamental part of the modern world, but where did they come from? 

Who created the idea of fundamental human rights, and how did it evolve over time? 

The concept of human rights has a long and complex history that stretches back to ancient civilizations, but it wasn't until the Enlightenment period in Europe that the idea really began to take shape.

Ancient Civilizations and the Idea of Rights.


The idea that people should have certain rights and protections has been around for thousands of years. In ancient civilizations such as Greece, Rome, and India, there were laws and codes that granted certain privileges and protections to different groups of people.

For instance, in ancient Rome, the concept of "ius gentium" or "law of nations" recognized certain rights and protections for non-Roman citizens. In India, the "Arthashastra" was a book of laws that granted certain rights and protections to different social classes.

However, these ancient ideas of rights were limited to specific groups of people and were often tied to social status or citizenship. It wasn't until the modern era that the concept of human rights emerged, as a universal idea that applied to all people regardless of their status or background.


The Enlightenment and the Birth of Human Rights.


The Enlightenment was a period of intellectual and cultural growth in Europe that took place in the 17th and 18th centuries. During this time, thinkers and philosophers began to challenge traditional beliefs and institutions, advocating for reason, progress, and individual freedom.

One of the key figures of the Enlightenment was John Locke, an English philosopher who argued that all people were born with natural rights such as life, liberty, and property. He believed that these rights were universal and inherent to all people, and that they could not be taken away by governments or other authorities.


Another important figure of the Enlightenment was Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a French philosopher who argued that the social contract between individuals and governments should be based on mutual consent and the protection of individual rights. He believed that people had the right to govern themselves and that governments should be accountable to the people they serve.

These ideas of individual rights and the social contract laid the foundation for the modern concept of human rights. They provided a framework for thinking about how governments should treat their citizens and what rights and protections people were entitled to.


The Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.


The American Revolution was a key moment in the development of human rights, as it put these ideas into practice in a real-world setting. The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, famously declared that "all men are created equal" and that they were entitled to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

This idea of universal human rights was further enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, which established a framework for protecting individual rights and limiting the power of government. The Bill of Rights included amendments that protected freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as the right to bear arms and the right to a fair trial.


The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.


The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a landmark document that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The UDHR was a response to the atrocities committed during World War II, and it sought to establish a universal standard for human rights that applied to all people, regardless of their background or citizenship.

The UDHR includes 30 articles that outline a broad range of human rights, including the right to life, liberty, and security of person; the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; the right to work and education; and the right to participate in government and society.


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