FIRST 5 RIGHTS
The First 5 Rights are taken from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This remarkable act states “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.” Of the thirty rights included in the UDHR, the first five are the most powerful for creating our personal freedom and peace, for giving us the strength to achieve our dreams, and for helping create a more just and peaceful world. These First 5 Rights are:
1
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”
For many people, as we look around we feel we are not as good – unequal. This can have a serious impact on our ability to function to our best abilities; we may be afraid of looking bad, or of not measuring up, or seeming foolish. It doesn’t have to be this way since we all born free and equal in dignity and rights and deserve to be treated as such. It is only when we learn to treat people, all people, with equal dignity and respect that we can hope to create a peaceful world.
2
“Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.”
Discrimination is rampant in most societies. Sometimes it is a power and control mechanism, sometimes a comfort level being with those who happen to be different – there are many reasons. Discrimination keeps us from being and functioning at our best. When we come together and act without distinction of any kind, we open up new possibilities and reap the benefits of the best we as a people have to offer.
3
“Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”
Life, freedom and security of person are the most elemental of all our human needs. We all have the right to our lives. Taking life from someone guarantees they cannot become the person they were meant to be and make their contribution to society. That loss can affect everyone. Justice and peace can only be achieved when we protect the security and life of one another. 4
“No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.”
By now we see a common thread. We all have the right to be free to live our own lives. Slavery and servitude, in whatever form, are the antithesis of freedom and cannot be condoned. When we grant people freedom to live their best that will bring peace and justice to all of us. 5
“No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
We cannot recognize the inherent dignity of others and at the same time subject them in cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Such treatment breeds animosity and conflict, often rising to the level of contempt and loathing. We cannot achieve justice and peace in the world until we learn to treat people with dignity and respect.
These First 5 Rights affirm that we are all equal and deserving. These rights give us great opportunity. They also give us great responsibility in that we cannot infringe on the rights of others. We are all members of the human family. We are special in our own, unique ways. We are all better served by living together peacefully and learning from our differences. By learning to live and work together, we can realize we are more powerful and achieve more.