Preamble
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundtin of freedom, justie and peace in the world, Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind-, and the advent of a world in which human
beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been
proclaimed as the highest aspiratin of the common people,
Whereas it is essentil, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion againsttyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the
rule of law,
Whereas it is essentil to pro mote the development of frendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Natins have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in the fundamental human rights, in the dignit and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas member states have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotin of universal respect for and observance of human rights and
fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realisation of this pledge,
Now, Therefore,
The General Assembly
proclaims
This Universal Declaration of Human Rights
as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this declaration constantly in mind, shall strve by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recogniton and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and
Article L
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.
Questions:
Are even the fuga, faqi, blacksmiths etc. equal?
Is a woman just as free as a man?
Does a child have equal rights?
Is everybody responsible for his or her actions? Why?
Do you have an obligation to rescue somebody who is in danger of being attacked by others?
Even if you do not know him??
If someone is known as a dull person, can you just exc1ude him from discussions?
Can you exc1ude him from voting, from paricipating in cultural events?
1
Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion,. politcal or other
opinion, national or socuzl origin, propert, birth or other status.
Furthermore, no distinction shall be mae on the basis of the political, jurisdictional ot
international status of the countr or terrory to which a person belongs, whether it be
independent, trust, non-selfgoverning or under any other limitation of sovereignty.Questions:
Are white people having the same rights as black people?
Do Moslems have the same rights as Christians? Why is Moslem religious law different from Christian traditional practice?
Do women have the same rights as men? Which rights are different for women and men?
Why?
Do elever people have more rights than stupid ones?
Are rich people and poor people equal? Does the law protect them equally?
2.
~.
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, libert and security of person.
Questions:
Can dangerous people be imprisoned, even if they have not yet commtted a crime?
Can you beat a thief to death?
When can a person' s life be taken:
By court? By individuals? By the Government? By the community?
By the militar? The police?
3
Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitue; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their ¡orms.
Questions:
Have you ever heard of people being sold as slaves?
Have you heard of Ethopian girls being sent to other countres for work?
Are there any people who are not allowed to decide for themselves about their work and their lives?
How do you distinguish a slave from an employed person?
If your neighbour can not pay back his debt to you, can he be forced to work for you?
4
Article 5
No one shall be subjected to tortre. or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
.punishment.Questions:
Can the police use force to arest somebody?
Under what conditions can the police use force?
Is the police allowed to beat up a prisoner?
if he does not adrnt his guilt, can the police force him to confess? How??
t;
Article 6
Everyone has the right to recognitin everywhere as a person before the law.
Questions:
Is a Ghanean supposed to be treated equally as an Ethiopian citizen?
Also if he is brought to court in Ethiopia?
Does an Ethiopian court have the right to indict a person who is not Ethiopian citizen?
Does a foreigner have the right to break Ethopian law?
Is a person suspected of having broken the law, entitled to be treated with respect, equally?
if a court can not with absolute certainty establish whether a person has stolen an or and sold it, or not, what should be done? Is it better he is punished even if he may possibly be innocent - or that he goes free and still may be guilty?
b
-7
Article 7
All are equal before the law and are entiled without any discriminatin 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.
Questions:
Does the law protect people who tr to chase a man from a different area from their vilage?
Does the law protect you if you chase a neighbour who is a fuga away from his house?
Can the Afar government give a job to an Mari in preference over a Gurage living in Afar and being better qualified?
Could a woman ask for the protection of the police if her husband is beating her severely?
Article 8
Everyøne has the right tø an effective remedy by the cømpetent natiønal trbunals før acts viølating the fundamental rights granted him by the cønstition ør by .law.
Questions:
Can you win your case in court if you are poor?
Can you win in court against a rich man?
Can you succeed even if you have no formal training or education?
Can you complain to a court against a policeman who has beating or torturing you while in custody?
Should an Afar girl be given preference over an Amara boy with slightly better grades when
entering university?
i
~--- .-?
~/_...
~/.../..
~;' .
~~
Article 9
No one shall be subjected to arbitary arrest, detentin or exile.
Questions:
Can you be arrested because your donkey was eating the neighbour' steff?
if you refuse to pay your debt, can you be arested?
Can a person be arested for refusing to work for another one?
In case you are arested and feel it is without proper reason, can the court help you? What can you do to attraet the attention of a judge to your imprisonment?
Can you demand the police to bring you to a court?
.- ,:. ~
,. ~ ..~~-? / . ~ -- -' ""
i
i (
tr'0lv 'V
.~ vv~
ri d-V' 'V "9
f\\i\~ \~
-'-,-i .J --- ~ --~~~ ,- \ ~
~-'~\¡ \\ - '"
\l\- .i ') '- ..J' \.v\_"
10
Article 10