Introduction
In modern society, the preservation of justice, equality, and dignity is impossible without rights. At present, each republic has a legal system with distinctive freedoms grounded in its historical and social experiences. However, certain rights may be called universal as their importance is recognized across different documents and states. The three rights that may be considered natural and most important are equality for citizens, liberty, and a person’s security.
Equality of Citizens
The equality of citizens before the law is one of the main principles of a functioning republic. France’s Declarations of Man and Citizen state that all citizens are born equal and may expect protection by law regardless of their social status. This principle distinguishes a republic from older forms of government, such as feudalism, in which social discrimination and inequity were normalized.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that the equality of all persons is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace. It recognizes it as a fundamental concept within the legal system. The Bill of Rights promotes equality and frequently uses the phrase “no person” when referring to being subjected to unlawful acts, meaning that no US citizen is excluded from the law’s protection. Therefore, equality may be called one of the most essential principles of a republic’s law, which promotes fair treatment of citizens by the legal system.
Right to Liberty
The second important notion within the discussed documents is the right to liberty, which, in some instances, concerns the punishment for wrongful acts committed by a citizen. Judicially imposed sanctions against specific individuals are necessary to protect the state and the freedoms of other individuals. To prevent the state’s right to impose these sanctions from being abused, legal procedures are used to select and impose a just punishment.
The Constitution states that no person shall be deprived of their liberty without due process of law. The Bill of Rights ‘ Fifth Amendment similarly regulates the circumstances under which a person may be deprived of freedom. The notions regarding the protection of the person’s liberty may also be found in other documents, as it is considered a natural right. Therefore, the preservation of a person’s liberty is recognized as a fundamental function of law by all of the analyzed documents.
Personal Security
The third essential to a functioning republic is personal security. Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares that everyone is entitled to personal security, along with the rights to liberty and to life. The Bill of Rights prohibits depriving individuals of their lives or property, recognizing that they are protected by law for all citizens. France’s Declarations of Man and Citizen equally mention security as one of the imprescriptible freedoms, the preservation of which is the main reason behind any political association. Therefore, the above-mentioned documents recognize the right to personal security as an essential notion and the basis for implementing specific legal policies and procedures.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the rights common to all the analyzed documents are equality before the law, liberty, and personal security. Equality ensures that all citizens are given fair treatment by the legal system, regardless of their social status. Liberty ensures that the individual’s freedom will not be infringed unless lawful procedures deem it necessary. Personal security refers to the protection individuals receive from the legal system. All three of these rights are necessary for a functioning republic and are the basis for a stable life in modern society.