This section presents a collection of international human rights that are widely recognized. They are taken from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was passed by the UN General Assembly in 1948, and they apply to situations in which there are gross human rights violations. These are among the most violated rights in the ongoing conflicts in our focus countries (Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen).
Knowing about these rights is important to be aware of situations in which they are violated and try to push back through accountability and advocacy.
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF
“Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”
Personal security is, in legal terms, the uninterrupted enjoyment, for any individual, of their rights and freedoms, including their physical, mental, and emotional health and reputation.
“No one should be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
Also see the 1984 Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane and Degrading Treatment (both Iraq and Syria have acceded to the treaty, which has the same legal value as ratification). It is illegal to subject any individual to torture, either physical or mental. Individuals and governments who violate the provisions of this Convention can be prosecuted in national and international courts.
“All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.”
Any individual who is subject to any kind of treatment which violates the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights should be protected by the law.
“No one should be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.”
Subjecting any individual to arbitrary arrest or detention is against this provision.
“Everyone charged with a penal offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defense.”
If an individual is charged with a penal offense (i.e., of having committed a crime punishable with imprisonment), they should not be arbitrarily detained and should always be granted the possibility to appear before an impartial court of law. An impartial judge should assess the case and decide whether the individual is guilty, and what their sentence should be.
“No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.”
Threatening an individual’s family or close friends to get information or a confession from them goes against this principle.
Any individual who is subject to any kind of treatment which violates the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights should be protected by the law.
“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion […]”
Every individual should be allowed to hold their own opinions, thoughts, and beliefs without fearing repercussions.
“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
Every individual has the right to hold their own beliefs and opinions and there should never be any repercussions as a result. Moreover, nobody should fear repercussions if they look to expand their knowledge on any issue.
If an individual is charged with a penal offense (i.e., of having committed a crime punishable with imprisonment), they should not be arbitrarily detained and should always be granted the possibility to appear before an impartial court of law. An impartial judge should assess the case and decide whether the individual is guilty, and what their sentence should be.
“Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.”
No individual should ever face repercussions for their choice to peacefully gather and associate for any reason. Punishing individuals for opposing their government or for criticizing policies violates this provision.
Threatening an individual’s family or close friends to get information or a confession from them goes against this principle.
Any individual who is subject to any kind of treatment which violates the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights should be protected by the law.
Source: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Graphics: The Irish Times
