Introduction
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the American Constitutional Amendments, and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen are significant historical texts that protect and affirm human rights and liberties. At the same time, however, each of these documents has its own characteristics and fundamentally different contexts of the historical times and political philosophies in which they were created. Despite this, several rights are present in all three documents and can be considered the most important.
Rights Mentioned in the Documents
The right of freedom of expression is one such right. All three texts recognize the value of free expression and emphasize that everyone has the right to express oneself freely and access information (Cornell Law School, 2017). This right serves as the foundation for a free press, free interchange of ideas and experiences, and the growth of democracy and civil society.
The second important right found in all three documents is the right to equality before the law. They all underline the importance of equality before the law and the right to a fair and independent trial (United Nations, 1948). This right serves as the foundation for justice and the preservation of all people’s rights, regardless of color, gender, religion, or socioeconomic class.
A third important right that is present in all three documents is the right to be protected from violence and arbitrariness. The Amendments to the US Constitution, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights all proclaim that everyone has the right to be free from arbitrariness and violence, including governmental violence (Yale Law School, 2019). This right ensures everyone’s safety and dignity, serving as the foundation for upholding human rights.
Conclusion
Finally, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, the United States Constitutional Amendments, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are significant historical texts that embody human rights and liberties. Although each of these treaties has unique qualities and fundamentally distinct historical periods and political philosophies, the three most significant rights are found in all three writings. These rights are the cornerstone for every human being’s freedom, justice, and security, and ensuring their observance is a critical duty for all governments and societies.
References
Cornell Law School. (2017). First Amendment. LII / Legal Information Institute; Cornell Law School.
Yale Law School. (2019). Declaration of the Rights of Man – 1789. Yale.
United Nations. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. United Nations.