Philosophy Discussion Forums | A Humans-Only Club for Open-Minded Discussion & Debate

[Mr Benji]

In 1948, after World War II, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to protect the rights of every human being, everywhere. This declaration was intended to safeguard life, dignity, and freedom of speech. Indeed, freedom of expression is a fundamental human right.

The right to openly express one's thoughts, anytime, is one of the essential rights of a citizen. It is the right to hold and share opinions freely. Individuals can hold their views on a particular matter. Likewise, they can express their ideas, feelings, and share information to others. This information could be obtained from investigations, studies, or observations.

Freedom of speech is needed for peace. It is necessary and important for all people. It ensures that individuals are not harmed, oppressed, or silenced. The exercise of this right should be encouraged without the fear of retaliation, censorship, intimidation, or sanctions. Without it, people would feel like prisoners of their own minds. These persons can feel deprived of liberty and kept under involuntary restraint, confinement, or custody in their minds.

Moreover, freedom of speech is beneficial to the society. It is an important tool in the fight against injustice. This becomes evident when people are treated unequally or when they face unfair treatment. For example, citizen journalism has become common in recent years. These reports expose injustices within systems. With this right, citizens are empowered to defend themselves and hold those in power accountable.

Finally, these rights must be protected by laws. For instance, one key organization working to protect these rights is the United Nations, an association of many countries that aims to improve the economic and social conditions and solve political problems peacefully.

[Pattern-chaser]

In 1948, after World War II, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to protect the rights of every human being, everywhere. This declaration was intended to safeguard life, dignity, and freedom of speech. Indeed, freedom of expression is a fundamental human right.

The UN Declaration of Human Rights mentions "freedom of speech" just once, in passing. The thrity articles that follow do not mention it specifically. Not once.

Freedom of speech has been raised to the status of divine revelation by extremist American Individualists, I think. Not by the UN. And all of that is fine. There's no problem here. But I think you have misemphasised the status of freedom of speech within the UN Declaration. And I feel it's appropriate to this topic to put it in its proper place, not to 'refurbish' its position or status in the light of personal beliefs.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 (General Assembly resolution 217 A) as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into over 500 languages. The UDHR is widely recognized as having inspired, and paved the way for, the adoption of more than seventy human rights treaties, applied today on a permanent basis at global and regional levels (all containing references to it in their preambles).
Preamble

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice 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 aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity 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 promotion 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 realization 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 strive 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 recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

[30 articles follow. Here is a link to the complete document on the UN's own website.]

[Mr Benji]

In 1948, after World War II, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to protect the rights of every human being, everywhere. This declaration was intended to safeguard life, dignity, and freedom of speech. Indeed, freedom of expression is a fundamental human right.

The UN Declaration of Human Rights mentions "freedom of speech" just once, in passing. The thrity articles that follow do not mention it specifically. Not once.

Freedom of speech has been raised to the status of divine revelation by extremist American Individualists, I think. Not by the UN. And all of that is fine. There's no problem here. But I think you have misemphasised the status of freedom of speech within the UN Declaration. And I feel it's appropriate to this topic to put it in its proper place, not to 'refurbish' its position or status in the light of personal beliefs.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 (General Assembly resolution 217 A) as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into over 500 languages. The UDHR is widely recognized as having inspired, and paved the way for, the adoption of more than seventy human rights treaties, applied today on a permanent basis at global and regional levels (all containing references to it in their preambles).
Preamble

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice 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 aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity 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 promotion 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 realization 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 strive 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 recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

[30 articles follow. Here is a link to the complete document on the UN's own website.]

Hi,

Pls, can you clarify the terms 'refurbish and misemphasised' as used in the sentences above?

[Pattern-chaser]

Pls, can you clarify the terms 'refurbish and misemphasised' as used in the sentences above?

I think your commitment to Freedom of Speech has led you to overstate the support that the UN Declaration of Human Rights offers to Freedom of Speech. Yes, it is mentioned, but that's all. It does not state that Freedom of Speech is a Human Right.

And that is what my "terms" are intended to convey.

[Mr Benji]

Pls, can you clarify the terms 'refurbish and misemphasised' as used in the sentences above?

I think your commitment to Freedom of Speech has led you to overstate the support that the UN Declaration of Human Rights offers to Freedom of Speech. Yes, it is mentioned, but that's all. It does not state that Freedom of Speech is a Human Right.

And that is what my "terms" are intended to convey.

Hi,

Ok, that's good to know.

I would suggest you take a closer look at the first two opening sentences on the documents above on UN site. Then, take another look at articles 18 and 19 respectively. You can give a feedback what it means here.

Regards.

[Pattern-chaser]

I would suggest you take a closer look at the first two opening sentences on the documents above on UN site. Then, take another look at articles 18 and 19 respectively. You can give a feedback what it means here.

I have already posted the first dozen or so paragraphs of the HR document, for our consideration, and it makes only one mention of "freedom of speech". Keep up!

[Mr Benji]

I would suggest you take a closer look at the first two opening sentences on the documents above on UN site. Then, take another look at articles 18 and 19 respectively. You can give a feedback what it means here.

I have already posted the first dozen or so paragraphs of the HR document, for our consideration, and it makes only one mention of "freedom of speech". Keep up!

Hi,

Do you still propose that "freedom of speech is not a human right."Is that your stand ?

Best regards

[Pattern-chaser]

Do you still propose that "freedom of speech is not a human right."Is that your stand ?

I regret that your reading lacks precision. I observed — nothing more than that — that the UNHRC document contains only one passing reference to "freedom of speech", and that it does not explicitly describe "freedom of speech" as a "Human Right".

You strongly implied in your OP that the UN support your view that FoS is a Human Right, when they say no such thing.

Please do not extrapolate what I say, until it seems to say something different. If I say "2 + 2 ≠ 5", then you may not assume that I also agree with "2 + 2 ≠ 42", even though that seems likely, nor may you assume that I agree that "2 + 2 = 4", although that also seems likely. You especially may not assume that I mean "2 + 2 = "!

In this case, I have observed that the UN does not call FoS a Human Right. I have not said what *I* think about it, only commented on the UN's apparent public position, and thereby offered a clarification to your OP.

[Mr Benji]

Do you still propose that "freedom of speech is not a human right."Is that your stand ?

I regret that your reading lacks precision. I observed — nothing more than that — that the UNHRC document contains only one passing reference to "freedom of speech", and that it does not explicitly describe "freedom of speech" as a "Human Right".

You strongly implied in your OP that the UN support your view that FoS is a Human Right, when they say no such thing.

Please do not extrapolate what I say, until it seems to say something different. If I say "2 + 2 ≠ 5", then you may not assume that I also agree with "2 + 2 ≠ 42", even though that seems likely, nor may you assume that I agree that "2 + 2 = 4", although that also seems likely. You especially may not assume that I mean "2 + 2 = "!

In this case, I have observed that the UN does not call FoS a Human Right. I have not said what *I* think about it, only commented on the UN's apparent public position, and thereby offered a clarification to your OP.

Hi

Ok, that is a good explanation in a mathematical way. I get your interpretation of it based on the number of appearance of the specific phrase.

[Pattern-chaser]

Ok, that is a good explanation in a mathematical way. I get your interpretation of it based on the number of appearance of the specific phrase.

No, it's no such thing. You tried to endow your belief with the authority of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. And you were exaggerating to achieve this, as the DHR does not declare freedom of speech to be a human right. Hyperbole, nothing more or less.

[Mr Benji]

Ok, that is a good explanation in a mathematical way. I get your interpretation of it based on the number of appearance of the specific phrase.

No, it's no such thing. You tried to endow your belief with the authority of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. And you were exaggerating to achieve this, as the DHR does not declare freedom of speech to be a human right. Hyperbole, nothing more or less.

Hi

"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights."

what are your thoughts on this sentence?

[Pattern-chaser]

"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights."

what are your thoughts on this sentence?

My thought is that it is off-topic. The UDHR is an important document, that has been dishonestly used to support an interesting and important 'right', namely free speech. But this topic is not about the UDHR, it's about free speech.

[Mr Benji]

"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights."

what are your thoughts on this sentence?

My thought is that it is off-topic. The UDHR is an important document, that has been dishonestly used to support an interesting and important 'right', namely free speech. But this topic is not about the UDHR, it's about free speech.

Hi,


If we are discussing human rights, don't you think the' free speech ', as mentioned in the document above, weighs as much as the other rights?

regards.

[Pattern-chaser]

"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights."

what are your thoughts on this sentence?

My thought is that it is off-topic. The UDHR is an important document, that has been dishonestly used to support an interesting and important 'right', namely free speech. But this topic is not about the UDHR, it's about free speech.

If we are discussing human rights, don't you think the' free speech ', as mentioned in the document above, weighs as much as the other rights?

We've been around this circle once. I'm not starting it again.

Freedom of Speech is *NOT* declared or defined by the UDHR to be a "Human Right", even though the term "freedom of speech" is mentioned — once only — in passing. Please stop your dishonest attempts to claim UDHR authority for your favoured belief. Thanks.

A strictly factual answer to your question: No. The UDHR declares the most fundamental rights as "Human Rights", while it does not define or describe "freedom of speech" as a "Human Right". So, according to the UDHR, your favoured belief is not a human right. This is why it does not, according to the UDHR, "weigh as much as the other rights", where these "other rights" are Human Rights, and the 'right' you mention and favour is not.

N.B. This is not my opinion. It is factual comments regarding what the UN Declaration of Human Rights actually says.

[Mr Benji]

"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights."

what are your thoughts on this sentence?

My thought is that it is off-topic. The UDHR is an important document, that has been dishonestly used to support an interesting and important 'right', namely free speech. But this topic is not about the UDHR, it's about free speech.

If we are discussing human rights, don't you think the' free speech ', as mentioned in the document above, weighs as much as the other rights?

We've been around this circle once. I'm not starting it again.

Freedom of Speech is *NOT* declared or defined by the UDHR to be a "Human Right", even though the term "freedom of speech" is mentioned — once only — in passing. Please stop your dishonest attempts to claim UDHR authority for your favoured belief. Thanks.

A strictly factual answer to your question: No. The UDHR declares the most fundamental rights as "Human Rights", while it does not define or describe "freedom of speech" as a "Human Right". So, according to the UDHR, your favoured belief is not a human right. This is why it does not, according to the UDHR, "weigh as much as the other rights", where these "other rights" are Human Rights, and the 'right' you mention and favour is not.

N.B. This is not my opinion. It is factual comments regarding what the UN Declaration of Human Rights actually says.

Hi,

If that's what you have said, that's fine. Someone else will have a different interpretation.