The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Essay Example

According to the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, Thomas Jefferson expressed reasons of alleged abuses detailed in both documents which gave rise to the need for justification of American independence. I will discuss the alleged abuses and why I feel these abuses are an infringement of people’s human rights and civil liberties as the Declaration of Independence. I will further discuss the role the first ten amendments played in the independence of Americans and how ethics helped to form the law of human rights for the future Americans.

Perhaps the most prominent part of the Declaration of Independence is the words, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness …” (“The Declaration of Independence”). The original thirteen colonies of the United States of America desperately wanted their independence from Great Britain. It was not until the first United States Constitution was drafted in 1787 did the people begin to be able to outline and make laws. The Declaration of Independence simply pronounced ‘ideals’ for a new form of government.

Jefferson led the way for America’s independence by listing abuses or grievances such as abuses by King George III and a right to revolution. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were listed as inalienable rights or basic human rights afforded to all citizens. Abraham Lincoln stated his political philosophy was based on the Declaration of Independence and further, the United States Constitution should be interpreted through the basis of the Declaration.

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, also named the Bill of Rights, sought to establish a boundary to adopt a formal expressed desire to eliminate any misconstruction or abuse of power by the government whether through the legislation or judiciary. “The States combined powers together to form the Constitution and added declaratory and exclusion clauses to prevent any one form of government from becoming too powerful.” (“Bill of Rights”).  Further the colonies set out to define some specifics rights that could set a standard for future human rights/civil liberties to be added to a formal Constitution. This Constitution would differ from the British Constitution that is considered to be ‘transparent and unwritten’. The first ten amendments addressed the basic rights such as basic representation in both houses, prohibition of law against assembly for religious activities, the right to bear arms, the right of people to be secure in their own home (search and seizure warrants), etc.

Ethics plays an important role in domestic and international law and culture as well as human rights. Every person has the right to participate in an open community regardless of religion, race, belief, etc. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states every person has the inalienable right to “freedom, justice and peace in the world in which they live.” (“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights”). States agree to reaffirm their pledge to follow the agreement of the United Nations and show loyalty and faith to human rights and give equal rights to men and women regardless of their religious background, social status, etc. This is to ensure that all people created by God are treated equally by the law.

As declared in the Declaration of Independence the King of England for many years had absolute tyrannical power over the people and had refused to Assent to the law for the wholesome and good of the people and public; he had forbidden the Governor to make and pass any law that was against his wishes; “He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.” (“Declaration of Independence”); the King was infamous for cutting off trade with all parts of the world; the king was infamous for imposing taxes on the people without their consent; “For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:” (“Declaration of Independence”). These are the major infringements that the people had to deal with on a regular and daily basis. The King’s rules were the only rules and only if the people agreed with his rules were they able to speak their concerns. Anyone who did not agree with the King’s viewpoint was quickly silenced. There was no such thing as a representative democracy or anything close to it. It was pure monarchy and near dictatorship form of government that existed in England and the United States was governed by the British. It was not until the formation of the Declaration and the Constitution did the Americans gain their Independence. Human Rights are a constant struggle even today.

References

Jefferson, T. (2010) The Declaration of Independence Retrieved April 15, 2010 from, http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/jefferson/aa_jefferson_declar_4.html

Bill of Rights (2010) Retrieved April 15, 2010 from, http://www.constitution.org/billofr_.htm

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (2010) Retrieved from, http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/