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What Is It & Why Should You Ensure
that Your Rights Are Protected!
Human rights are those rights which are essential
to live as human beings - basic standards without which people
cannot survive and develop in dignity. They are inherent to
the human person, inalienable and universal.
The United Nations set a common standard on human rights
with the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
in 1948.
Although this Declaration is not part of binding international
law, its acceptance by all countries around the world gives
great moral weight to the fundamental principle that all human
beings, rich and poor, strong and weak, male and female, of
all races and religions, are to be treated equally and with
respect for their natural worth as human beings.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child recommend that
young people growing up in a modern day society should be
aware of their basic rights as humans and parents should exercise
the right of protecting their children by providing religious
and moral guidance.
The following information has been extracted from the document
and summarised where necessary:
Article 4 (Protection of Rights): Governments have
a responsibility to take all available measures to make sure
children's rights are respected, protected and fulfilled.
This involves assessing their social services, legal, health
and educational systems as well as levels of funding for these
services. Governments must also help families protect children's
rights and create an environment where they can grow and reach
their potential.
Article 14 (Freedom of thought, conscience and religion):
Children have the right to think and believe what they want
and to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping
other people from enjoying their rights. Parents should help
guide their children in these matters and as they mature and
able to form their own views, some may question certain religious
practises or cultural traditions. The Convention supports
children's right to examine their beliefs, but it also states
that their right to express their beliefs implies respect
for the rights and freedoms of others.
Article 28 (Right of Education): All children have
the right to a primary education, which should be free. Young
people should be encouraged to reach the highest level of
education of which they are capable.
Article 29 (Goals of education): Children's education
should develop each child's personality, talents and abilities
to the fullest.
Article 30 (Children of minorities/indigenous groups):
Minority or indigenous children have the right to learn about
and practise their own culture, language and religion. The
right to practise one's own culture, language and religion
applies to everyone; the Convention here highlights this right
in instances where the practises are not shared by the majority
of the people in the country.
Recently a ten year strategy for young people in Northern
Ireland has been launched. It's important that all young people
are aware of their basic rights whilst remembering the rights
of others. Young people, particularly those from the orange
tradition, who may experience intolerance towards their cultural
identity, should refer to Article 14 ensuring that other cultural
traditions and identities are not promoted and preserved at
the expense of their own.
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