1. Human Rights
Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

2. Definition
Human Rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language or any other status.
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
United Nations

3. A fight, not freely given . . .
539 B.C.E. Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon, freed the slaves, established racial equality and freedom of religion, Cyrus Cylinder
1215, King John of England (had to) sign the Magna Carta
1776, American Declaration of Independence
1789, Rights of Man and Citizen, France

4. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec 10, 1948
Arose out of the atrocities of the second world war
Made the human rights of individuals explicit inspired by the Four Freedoms: Speech, Religion, Freedom from Fear and Freedom from Want.
Championed by Eleanor Roosevelt who was known for her human rights advocacy
Drafted by 18 individuals of diverse cultural, religious and political backgrounds

5. The declaration has been adopted in or it has influenced most national constitutions since 1948
Has authority internationally, but not within sovereign states
The Canadian Government has made attempts to embed human rights in to Canadian law. There are four key mechanisms:
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Canadian Human Rights Act (statute, 1977)
Enforces equal opportunity to reduce discrimination
Canadian Human Rights Commission
Investigates allegations of discrimination
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal judges these cases
Provincial Human Rights laws

6. Critics of the Universal Declaration
Some rights were too difficulty to guarantee
housing, health and education
Too much a Western focus
China and Lebanon were the only non-western contributors
Despite creating the Declaration, many human rights violations have continued around the world

7. Human Rights
Basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled
Life and liberty
Freedom of thought and expression
Equality before the law
Some countries protect and safe guard basic human rights
Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the Canadian Constitution
American Bill of Rights
Others disregard and abuse them. Why?

8. Human Rights and Sustainability
Sustainable communities include:
Full access to natural resources
A clean environment
Employment
Education
Social services
When people are not able to meet their basic needs or enjoy fundamental human rights, they lose their ability to participate in social, economic and environmental systems that promote sustainability their communities often erupt in conflict.

9. Societal Factors
Unstable Governments are less likely to protect human rights,
Authoritarian Regimes
Military Dictatorships
developing countries with little money to support their citizens
Theocracies
Conflict arises between the people and the Government because individuals are not able to participate fully in their society
Unjust imprisonment
Unfair trial of political prisoners
Attacks on journalists and the press
Concerns about working conditions
Persecution of religious minorities
Racial persecution

10. Economic Factors Globalization Can contribute to prosperity
Greater business opportunities
Larger markets
Increased trade
Can also contribute to human rights violations
Human trafficking, bonded slaves, child labour
Sweatshops
Many major corporations have been criticized, and fined for using sweatshop labour

11. Environmental Issues
May individuals die from pollution related illnesses each year and even more contract pollution related illnesses each year
Corporations operating in a developing country and pollutes a local water source violates human rights
Fisheries depletion, deforestation, water shortages threaten human rights
Sustainable communities cannot exist with out
Clean air, water, food, affordable housing