We have a responsibility to those seeking just and equal rights to ensure that we, the inhabitants of nations which promote the equality of all people, do not allow our perception of just and equal rights to be altered or diminished. In the wake of September 11th, the United States, Great Britain, and even Canada, have been guilty of contributing to a decline in global human rights standards because of actions taken in the War on Terror. We must therefore ensure, for the sake of future generations and those who do not have a voice, that we remain vigilant and pledged to the maxim that we must not, as free thinking and compassionate people, allow our apathy and insularity to result in a further decline in global human rights standards.

The struggle for human rights is the struggle for human dignity. I therefore implore you to speak out on behalf of those who do not have a voice.

— Matthew Good, 2004

“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.”

— Article 1 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is universal in its content and application. It states that all “human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” and serves as the driving force behind many human rights-based legislation like the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In addition, the Declaration has inspired the creation of subsequent international documents such as the International Bill of Rights, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Furthermore, it makes the protection of human rights an important part of international law. It also serves as a basis for human rights observers like Amnesty International to refer to. Finally, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets a standard of achievement for all Nations to strive for.” — UNAC

— Read the Declaration of Human Rights

Individuals And Organizations

The two organizations that I would direct people towards are Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, both of whom have a substantial global presence. You can begin by visiting their websites and reading about their initiatives and purpose. After that, if you feel strongly about their work, become a member of one of the organizations and help promote their initiatives in whatever way you are able.

If you are interested in educating yourself with regards to the foundation of global human rights standards, spend some time looking over the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Anti-War

The most crucial aspect of anti-war advocacy is educating yourself as to what transpires on a daily basis around the world and to seek information that is commonly under-reported by the mainstream media. This is crucial, as it provides a solid basis with which to formulate a broader opinion. The links provided on the sidebar are a few examples of websites dedicated to the exposure of crucial information with regards to anti-war objectives.

Entries

Over the years Matthew has hundreds of entries on human rights issues. To explore them, you can use the search feature from the header menu, or view all entries that have been filed under human rights, here.