This document discusses human rights and their protection. It provides definitions of human rights, including the rights to adequate food, shelter, and protection from abuse. It discusses how human rights concepts vary by culture but some values are universal. It outlines the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and efforts to protect rights through international organizations and courts. In Canada, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms enshrines rights and limits government interference in individuals' lives. The Charter is part of the constitution and Canadian law also includes common law and civil codes.

1. Protecting Human Rights
SS 11 - Chapter 10

2. What are Human Rights?
• Many people believe that human rights are rights that are
considered basic to life in any human society:
1. Adequate food
2. Shelter
3. Protection from abuses such as torture
• The concept of human rights varies from culture to culture:
- Health care, basic education, and freedom from economic
bondage
• Many people believe that some moral values are universal, and
are the foundation for human rights around the world.

3. Example of India
• India’s British rulers left the country in 1947.
• Nearly 70 years later, why is India not yet a wealthier country?
• According to entrepreneur Rajesh Jain and economist Atanu Dey,
the reasons are manifold, but they have to do with a simple reality
– that Indians are not yet economically free.
“Under British rule, Indians suffered the ill effects of extractive and
exploitative policies,” they note. “These policies did not change even
after independence. What is worse is that socialist policies were
added to an already toxic system. These need to be replaced with
new, pro-growth, pro-economic freedom policies.”

4. Global Movements for Human Rights
• The Holocaust became a global issue after WWII.
• The global movement helped to end apartheid in South
Africa in 1994.
• The United Nations and human rights organizations have
moved to protect the basic rights of people around the
world.

5. UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
• proclaimed by the UN in 1948
• Based on the belief that “all human beings are born free &
equal in dignity & rights” (Article 1 of 30)
• Most countries have agreed to these principles.
• Canadian Fed and Prov gov’ts signed and ratified it making it
binding in Canada.
• Problem – the only power the UN has is ‘world attention.’
• Not part of binding international law.

6. Who makes sure that human rights are
protected?
• The UN created the International Courth of Justice (ICJ) in 1946 at The Hague,
Netherlands.
• To settle disputes between countries based on international law but only if
both countries asked for help.
• During the Cold War the protection of human rights was left to individual
countries.
• After the Cold War – in the 1990s tribunals set up to deal with war crimes
Kosovo and Rwanda, and human rights violations in Cambodia, Sierra Leone,
Lebanon, and East Timor.
• By 2002, 60 countries esta an International Criminal Court (ICC) – to
prosecute individuals and pol leaders who commit war crimes, genocide, and
crimes against humanity.

7. Human Rights in Canada
CANADIAN BILL OF RIGHTS – 1960
• Formally recognized Can. Rights held by common law.
• Problem – ‘No teeth’ -> Could be changed like any other law.
• Did not override Fed. Or Prov. laws.
CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS & FREEDOM
• ‘The Bill of Rights with ‘teeth’ -> Trudeau included in Constitution.
• Limiting The Charter –
• Reasonable Limits (Keegstra’s teachings on Holocaust)
• Notwithstanding Clause – Fed. & Prov. Leg. have final say (Bill 101)

8. THE CHARTER IN ACTION
Fundamental Freedoms:
• Conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion, expression, assembly, &
association.
• Mobility Rights (Free movement)
• No extradition for death penalties, Effects of 9-11.
• Equality Rights
• Race, origin, colour, religion, sex, age, disability.
• Exceptions – Affirmative action – protects minority rights & disadvantaged.
• Legal Rights
• Arrest procedures, questioning, search & seizure.

9. Citizen Rights
• The rights and freedoms of people in Canada and the
description of the protection from too much gov’t
interference in our lives are stated in the Canadian Charter
of Rights and Freedoms.
• Rights & responsibilities are outlined in the Constiturion
and Canadian law.
• Canadian law has several sources, including laws passed
by Parliament and the provincial legislatures, English
common law, the civil code of France and the unwritten
constitution that we have inherited from Great Britain.

10. There are some subtle differences to consider regarding the
following:
1. Rights – are powers or entitlements provided by a system
of laws.
2. Freedoms – are often defined as a natural or inherent
reality of being alive. We are free to breathe, think, speak,
laugh, move, and to be with others. Limit to these should be
reasonable and justifiable within a free and democratic
society.
3. Responsibilities – are based on the recognition that we are
not alone and do not act in isolation of one another; and,
therefore, we must consider our impact on others.
4. Privileges – are the actions that we, as members of a
society, have been given permission to take; permission
can be denied or removed.

11. Citizen Responsibilities
• These cover a broad range of actions and urge people in
Canada:
1. Obey the law
2. Respect the rights of others
3. Assist others
4. Protect our heritage and the environment
5. Eliminate injustice
6. Participate as a member of a jury, if summoned