UN Declaration of Human Rights: What's the Catch?
May 22, 2007
Today, for the first time, I went to the UN's web site and read the UN Declaration of Human Rights. This document contains a number of very powerful and positive messages asserting the rights of all people on this planet.
For example: Article 5 - "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment". Or Article 7 - "All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination."
But shortly thereafter, there appears a couple of articles that become worrisome. This happens when we see the mention of the word "tribunal" rather than trial. For example: Article 8 - "Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law." Or Article 10 - "Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him."
So what is a tribunal. The generally accepted definition appears to be as follows:
1. Law
a. A seat or court of justice.
b. The bench on which a judge or other presiding officer sits in court.
2. A committee or board appointed to adjudicate in a particular matter.
3. Something that has the power to determine or judge
Notice the words judge, presiding officer, and appointed. Note that not only is there no right to trial by jury, these officials who will preside over these tribunals are NOT elected or accountable in any fashion. As such, "tribunal" means trial by appointed experts who are accountable to some unseen and unknown power (at least to us).
Of course, it gets worse. Article 29(3) states: "These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations."
This means that for all its idealistic declarations, every right and freedom espoused is subject to the desires, goals and wishes of the unelected and unaccountable members of the United Nations.
As a free person, you should be appalled. I know I am.
Read the UN Declaration of Human Rights for yourself:
UN Declaration of Human Rights