Lets not beat around the bush any longer. The fact is that the International Conventions on Human Rights are good social sense. Their purpose is to lead to good social order and the physical, psychological and emotional health, safety, security and dignity of all of a nation's citizens. THEY ARE ALSO THE LAW IN THIS COUNTRY. You are now entitled to politely assert and challenge any infringements of your Basic Human Rights rights. It is
your responsibility.
Not a lot of people know that; and after decades, it is still one of the best kept secrets - Know your rights. We are about to tell you them. You are going to have to assert them intelligently and politely at first and then by formal action if the polite requests fail to get a reasonable response. Your assertions will initially be ignored and many of your rights will be further infringed. You must persist in asserting them, record events, get witnesses &/or get an advocate / solicitor. BUT, don't confuse Human Rights with other forms of entitlements which may have to be 'proven' in some 'equal' way.
It is important to understand that some things are just plain unacceptable; like assault, abusive, insulting, prejudicial, or undignified actions, for any reason, even by police, or any official. That said, reasonable force (the least restrictive but necessary actions), by anyone, including a police officer, to stop a person from doing something clearly injurious to them selves or others, is not an assault; is acceptable and even considered a duty. If a person is doing something criminal, a police officer can use reasonable force to arrest them and anyone can use reasonable force to stop crime.
Any Restrictions on Normal Rights must be Legitimate, Proportionate and Least Restrictive:
All actions and comment, by anybody, at any time, for any reason, any where; should be appropriate, proportionate and least restrictive to your entitlements to freedom of actions and speech, provide you similarly respect the rights of others. Parents, Bosses, Police, Court Officers, and some other Officials have specific, limited powers that they can apply on the behalf of us all, but these also have to be proportionate, least restrictive and equitable with the treatment of others.
Any legally justifiable action or comment, by anyone, at any time, anywhere, for any reason, has to be respectful of a person's, feelings, beliefs and legally prescribed freedom of action. You can not discriminate, or be discriminated against on any grounds, in any legal circumstances (i.e. if your actions are lawful and respect the rights and dignity of others). You must be treated (and treat others) with dignity and due, common respect in all circumstances.
Race, sex, colour, beliefs, disability (of all kinds), gender identity and age are highlighted, more extreme examples, but discrimination or prejudice on any basis, towards anyone, operating in any 'legal' respect; is an infringement of human rights. This means any 'categorisation', other than currently applied criminal, or other otherwise legally assigned restrictions, can not be used as a basis for treating a person differently, against their interests, and in infringement of their basic Human Rights. Any necessary infringement must be evidenced, by anyone, including yourself.
Human Rights have Reciprocal Responsibilities (both ways):
Rights apply to your entitlements and your responsibilities. What applies to you in terms of your rights, must equally apply in respect of other's entitlement for you to respect their rights. There is no ambiguity in any of this. The whole idea of basic Human Rights is self evident and intellectually, intuitively and emotionally consistent. Any deviation is the consequence of prejudiced, delusional thinking, distorted logic, &/or distracting rhetoric. No one is above these Laws.
If it is possible to show the reasonable, just, dignified and effective behaviour of one person, in any given circumstance (e.g. any policing, or managing duties), by contrast with the less dignified and more restrictive behaviour of another person, this is 'relative' evidence of discriminatory, abusive &/or disempowering behaviour; which can be challenged as an infringement of basic Human Rights (the entitlement to dignity; equal opportunity & least restrictive practice).
Not everyone is entitled to certain benefits, privileges and status, but any evidence that shows that there is prejudice &/or discrimination, in deciding and applying the rules for achieving some benefit, privilege or status, this is an infringement of Human Rights (as it affects Equal Opportunity). Yes, this can be taken to the extreme of seeking to achieve, by way of available channels, established rules (and precedence), the status or King, or Queen (in UK). You would need a very sound case and effective, sound, logical argument to have a chance of success at the highest level.
Back to basics:
If it can be shown that policing, or managing people (or you in particular), can be achieved with adequate dignity, mutual respect and minimum personal restriction; successfully resulting in mutually acceptable outcomes; by agreed, or mutually accepted rules and guidelines; THEN, any other approach, or style, given all else is equal, can be deemed to have failed to meet these demonstrated standards and, in proportion to the degree of indignity and restriction imposed, can be asserted and shown to have infringed your Basic Human Right, in these respects (Best Practice Guidelines).
Basically, this is the logical argument (which does not have to be remembered) which justifies your lawful stand against any restrictive, bullying, undignified, inappropriate, disproportionate, or otherwise abusive, discriminatory, or prejudiced behaviour, when faced with 'authority' of any kind. You polite stand against this infringement needs to be explained and evidenced at each stage, until an appropriate agreement, or adjustment is made (even if this must be after the fact). Even a Law can not unlawfully used as a mechanism for overriding basic Human Rights (which take precedence).
As in the case of rape, 'No means No', to any abusive, intimidating, disproportionate and otherwise unlawful exercising of power, or control; whether or not it is otherwise seen as legitimate in local Law, or common practice. You should assert your basic entitlements in respect of how, why &/or what of the power and control asserted over you. You should only concede in respect of any legitimate requirement made of you, in a respectful and dignified way, in keeping with an established, otherwise equitable agreement. This assertion may be best & most safely made 'after the fact'.
It is our responsibility to respond to freely made agreements for which there are no reasonable conditions, or circumstances which nullify any reasonable request. Apart from the issue of dignity, respect and other more aesthetic rights, there are the implications of Health & Safety of self and others to be considered, and our legal obligations to others and the Law itself. No contract or demand, can require you to infringe other lawful and ethical requirements. If an instruction with lawful purpose in any way infringes another, higher order lawful requirement, it can be deferred.
Why is it so difficult to get people to Stand Up For and Accept Our Human Rights:
Well, firstly, because it seems difficult to understand these concepts and why we should need them. We are so used to being pushed around and bullied (or pushing people around and bullying) that it has become the 'Norm'. Secondly, it is because we are fearful and in being fearful we tend to be angry, or aggressive towards infringements of reasonable Right, nullifying those Rights somewhat, by our own abuses. We therefore, effectively gag ourselves.
We think that Human Rights are designed for other unfortunate people, in other countries, far away from us in time and place. Actually, Human Rights Directives apply mostly to us in the Developed World, in respect of our own deprivations and also in respect of how we have treated the people of other nations, in the past and at present. In our hearts and minds we know this and out of shame, guilt and denial; We therefore remain gagged.
We have often got used to the 'benefits' that we accrue by treating others with less respect and consideration than ourselves (See: Chicken Pecking Order). We have deluded ourselves into believing that we have 'privilege' by declaration, prejudice and through the abuse & wilful neglect of others. We enjoy the relative power and status we sense or gain, by treating others with contempt and indignity. We therefore stay gagged.
We can not always understand the importance of protecting others rights, so that our own rights remain protected. We moan and groan about the impact of other people's behaviour, when they 'react' to the atrocious conditions and abuses they have sustained, or the relative deprivations that they feel, because the failed to get, feel encouraged, or did not bother to take up; the opportunities that we available and often trusted upon some of us. The real 'sociopaths are rare and dangerous, most people are just hurt and resentful of their relatives deprivation and lack of consideration.
The people who are most likely to consider other people's Human Rights are also those same people who are most likely to do more to help others when they can. In doing so they are more likely to have their own Rights abused and neglected, as a consequence. We have to face the fact, however polite you are and whatever status you may have, or may not have, there is going to be a reaction to your pointing out others failings of abusive & neglectful people.
People who most benefit from the abuses of Rights will do all they can to defend their position, sometime blindly, sometimes knowingly. You will need to be clever in your stand against those who abuse people generally and who have contempt for those who speak up and make a stand. They will be, as they have always been, abusive in protecting their abusive and neglectful natures. Some will not change this attitude, whatever we do, they must be made embarrassed and even 'disabled' in these respects. If you feel guilt or shame - you are not one of these people.
To Summaries:
Why is it so difficult to get people to Stand Up For and Accept Our Human Rights?:
Well, firstly, because it seems difficult to understand these concepts and why we should need them. We are so used to being pushed around and bullied (or pushing people around and bullying) that it has become the 'Norm'.
It is because we are fearful and in being fearful we tend to be angry, or aggressive towards infringements of reasonable Right, nullifying those Rights somewhat, by our own abuses. (See: Chicken Pecking Order).
Thirdly, we think that Human Rights are designed for other unfortunate people, in other countries, far away from us in time and place. Actually, Human Rights Directives apply mostly to deprivations by the Developed World.
Fourthly, we have got used to the 'benefits' that we accrue by treating others with less consideration than ourselves (See: Chicken Pecking Order). We delude ourselves into believing that we have 'privilege'.
We enjoy the relative power and status gained, by treating others with contempt and indignity. This has meant that we failed to see that our fundamental rights are undermined by this. We therefore stay quiet.
We can not understand the importance of protecting others rights, so that our own rights remain protected. We moan about the effects of others behaviour, when they 'react' to the atrocious conditions, abuses, or the relative deprivations that they experience. You could be joining them soon.
Sadly, the people who are most likely to consider other's Human Rights are most likely to do more to help. In doing so they are more likely to have their own Rights abused and neglected. People who most benefit from the abuses of Rights will do all they can to defend their position and undermine your own.
Be clever in your stand against those who abuse yourself and others, or who neglect to speak up against the abuses and neglects that they are complicit in. As you gain confidence in your stand, encourage friends and family to support you. Get them to stay calm and determined. Use your own and their 'reasonable anger' to drive forward for justice, but don't allow it to be provoked into abusive action (defensive action accepted).
Be Assertive and Determined and recognise that the defenders of abuses will work their hardest to make you 'look' like them, or worse. Those that abuse are not strangers to 'social action'. They will often infiltrate a genuine cause and 'feign' being the abused. They will be recognised by their willingness to respond by aggression, pushing others to the front of the conflict and selfishly benefitting from their infiltration and abuses, in every way they can. Don't get paranoid, just recognise the trait and distance yourself from them.
The smallest infringement of our Rights, or ignorant neglect of the need to protect them, is another crack in the defensive wall which makes for a Fair and Just society (and world). Try not to take too much notice of the 'Its all a Conspiracy Theory' brigade. Their justifications are well established and rehearsed. Try not to argue, or discuss the issues on their terms. You will not get anywhere - stand from your Just & Truthful position. Welcome to the world of 'normality', now you can see how some people become distressed and angry.
Some who spout those 'things are fine as they are' rationalisations, are either just easily persuaded, or are actively opposed to 'legal' entitlement to equal rights & 'access' entitlements for all. Such people enjoy the power they give themselves; to judge and bully others and are usually least competent to judge and manage 'people relationships'. Just ask them if they feel the world outside their door is more secure for doing things their way? Its not, as we can all see (if we look hard enough).
There is always a constant need to make these kinds of stands. Not everyone is able to do so. Some are so disabled by their experiences that they lack the energy to continue any longer. They have done their bit, often hidden from view and without deserved honours. Their absence from the struggle is not due to their 'incompetence' it is due to the abuses they have experienced. None are perfect, we all make mistakes, we are all prejudiced, it is just that some of us realise this and want to adjust the balance a little more.
Others have succumbed to the abusive provocations and are now so angry that they want revenge. We can understand that and there is a place for it. Litigation (suing) is now increasingly used as restorative justice. It is a late response to problems that should never have arisen, or could have been dealt with earlier. Most of those affected spoke up early and did not get an appropriate response. This kind of neglect causes untold suffering and cost us all dearly, in social and financial terms.
What goes around, comes around: Stop whingeing and speak up for your Rights & the Rights of others! These are being undermined as we speak and when we react to this you will see what is in stall for us.
READ MORE LINK: Your Human Rights - Also see links and stories below.
