Human Rights
Your guide to Human Rights
A Brief Introduction
" Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world." Eleanor Roosevelt
In the aftermath of the second world war, the United Nations decided to reaffirm the issue of rights and drew up the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. This document sets forth the inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms of each and every person on the face of the earth.
There are three main categories of Human Rights in existence today.
- Civil and Political Rights ( such as rights to life, liberty, free speech, movement, political thought and religious practise, a fair trial, privacy, to found a family and to vote)
- Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ( such as rights to adequate food and water, health care, education, a clean environment, to respect for cultural practices, and to welfare assistance)
- Third Generation Rights ( such as the right to peace, development and environmental rights)
Human Rights in the Irish Context
Ireland is a party to the European Convention on Human Rights ( the provisions of which have been incorporated in to Irish Law). It is similar to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but it is confined to Europe. So far, 46 countries have committed to the ECHR .
The European treaties are legally binding and by accepting them, the Irish Government has committed itself to promote and protect Human Rights in this country.
Human Rights and Ballymun
The Ballymun Human Rights Project, is a collaborative project supported by Ballymun Community Law Centre and Amnesty International Irish section.
The project published Fight for your Rights which sets out in understandable language the essential elements of the European Convention on Human Rights as they apply in everyday life.
Important Links to Human Rights Information
Amnesty International
Equality Authority
The Human Rights Commission for Ireland
United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights
Irish Centre for Human Rights
Department of Justice and Law Reform
Irish Council for Civil Liberties
