UN Declaration on Human Rights
The tragedies and injustice of World War II led to the ratification of the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights on the 10th of December 1948. It stood as the foundation of human rights laws in countries all over the world. People like Eleanor Roosevelt, René Cassin, John Humphrey, Chang Peng-chun, Charles Habib Malik, and others have contributed to the document in a variety of ways. They established two key ethical principles to the UDHR: respect and maintenance of the inherent dignity of humans, and a promise of non-discrimination. This gave rise to the 30 articles in the text, which inaugurates the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of every individual. Additionally, its non-binding and flexible nature allows for the creation of new strategies in line with the promotion of human rights.
The UDHR has been such a big leap for establishing worldwide democracy by designating the will of the people as the basis of a government’s authority. This means that the power of a country lies on its citizens, not on politicians or government authorities.
Womens’ Suffrage Movements
Before the 20th century, almost all sovereign countries did not allow women to vote or be elected for government positions. Despite their participation in the growing industrialized workforce, many still opposed giving women the basic right to be involved in public affairs. Those in the resistance gave an array of reasons; from asserting that the mental exertion from making decisions will result in the infertility of women to the idea that their brains are plainly inferior to men’s. Fortunately, these pretexts did not deter suffrage movements all throughout the world to fight and achieve their goals.
Nations on the Pacific Islands, Australia, and New Zealand were among the first to grant voting rights to women. The provinces in the Pitcairn Islands have had such legislation ever since 1856. Just over 60 years later, Edith Cowan became a part of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly and was followed by others who ran for even higher positions in the country’s government. Following this, one of the most emblematic and quintessential suffrage movements emerged in the United States. It was said to be led by the “triumvirate,” which was composed of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Lucy Stone. Among the early victories of the cause included winning the states of Wyoming and Utah in 1869 and 1870, respectively. Of course, homage must also be paid to the suffragists who were women of color, and had to struggle to a far greater extent with the evident racism and discrimintation present during those times. As African-American writer and educator Adella Hunt Logan argued, “If white American women, with all their natural and acquired advantages, need the ballot, how much more do black Americans, male and female, need the strong defense of a vote to help secure their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?”
Aside from the aforementioned, numerous suffrage movements occurred globally. This paved the way for better democracies, where integral members of the society were not shunned away from public service; where the meaning of the word “democracy” was progressively holding true to its purpose.
Non-cooperation Movement
On the 13th of April 1919 in Britain-ruled India, British forces shot at a crowd of unarmed Indian individuals on the open ground of Jallianwala Bagh in the Punjab region of the country. Despite the peaceful protests against unfair laws and the arrest of the nation’s pro-independence leaders, hundreds of people were killed and many injured. This became the main catalyst for the Non-cooperation Movement, an enigmatic fight against the colonizers’ rule through peaceful and non-violent means.
The Non-cooperation Movement opposed the British by boycotting imported products and goods, refusing to participate in legislative affairs, withdrawing from non-Indian learning institutions, organizing hunger strikes, and more. Although the intended goal of the organization was not met, it played a key role in awakening a nationalistic sentiment among the people. Most significantly, it brought individuals from distinct social classes to band together towards one singular goal. Along with other actions taken by the whole nation, India finally got its freedom on August 15, 1947 and established a sovereign democratic state three years later .
The peaceful actions of India towards independence was proof to the power of the citizens of a country. This became the precursor to other democratic harmonious pursuits such as the 1986 People Power Revolution of the Philippines and the Revolutions of 1898 from Central and Eastern Europe.
Democracy has represented the people for centuries. Accompanied by the ideals of liberty and equality, democracy adheres to the natural inclination of humans towards freedom. It has been instrumental in ensuring that every voice is heard, considered, and valued all throughout world history with countless revolutions, life-changing legislations, and acts of individuals towards one common goal. In its basic and purest sense, democracy is giving power to the people in pursuit of collective growth, free choice, justice, and an egalitarian society.
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Published September 15, 2021
Written by Mariana Masangkay ~ Edited by Clara Ngume-Sone ~ Graphics created by Jess Moerman
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