GENERAL NATURE AND DEFINITION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

All Persons are born free and equal in dignity and rights without
distinction as to race, color, sex, religion, origin, and social status.

INTRODUCTORY

Man, since the beginning of his life already belongs to a society. The first
society in which he belongs is his family, neighborhood, municipality, country
and the international community.

RIGHTS

The rights he is entitled to are enjoyed without any distinction as to race,

color, sex, language, religion, origin and social status.

VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

History has shown that as man started to live in a society, his rights
began to be violated by his own fellowmen.

The States authorities who are supposed to protect his rights are even
his persecutors.

Greeks and Romans, who started the development of Western

Civilization, legalized the institution of slavery, when men and women were
held as chattels and could be disposed of in any manner at the will of their
masters.
DOCTRINES OF MAJOR RELIGIONS IN THE WORLD

CONFUCIANISM

If there is one principle which ought to be acted upon throughout ones life,
surely it is that loving kindness. Do not do unto others what you would not
have them done to you.

CHRISTIANITY

In everything, do to others just what you want them to do for you. passage
from Tobit 4:15a, 16a, 18a, 19.

Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity was himself a victim of human

rights violation.

ISLAM

No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he
desires for himself.

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFINED

United Nations Definition

HUMAN RIGHTS- are generally defined as those rights, which are inherent in
our nature, and without which we cannot live as human beings.

It allows us to develop and use our human qualities, intelligence, talents

and conscience, and to satisfy our spiritual and other needs.

The dignity of man and human life is inviolable.

Philippine Commission on Human Rights

HUMAN RIGHTS- are supreme, inherent and inalienable rights to life, dignity
and self-development. It is the essence of these rights that makes human.
MANS RESPONSIBILITY IN HUMAN SOCIETY

Responsible to make moral decisions and answer to his own conscience.

BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMAN RIGHTS

INHERENT- they are not granted by authority

FUNDAMENTAL- because without them the life and dignity of man will
be meaningless

INALIENABLE- they cannot be rightfully taken away from a free

individual.

IMPRESCRIPTIBLE- they cannot be lost from long passage of time.

INDIVISIBLE- they cannot be denoed even when other rights have been
enjoyed.

UNIVERSAL- all human beings are the same

INTERDEPENDENT- fulfillment or exercise of one cannot be had without

the realization of the other.

The respect of human rights necessarily includes the realization of ones

dignity.