THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IS 53 TODAY

The entire Declaration is well worth reading. Though uneven, it is not nearly as laughable as one might think. In light of recent events, I was particularly struck by the following rights:

Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.

(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Article 17.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.

(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

When Justice O'Connor said that we should pay more attention to international legal norms, I never guessed that I would so soon regret that she didn't really mean it.

Posted by David Cohen at December 10, 2003 06:27 PM