UPHOLDING HUMAN

DIGNITY

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Upholding human dignity is at the central of the
values system that we associate with social peace.

Human dignity is defined as the fundamental innate

worth of a human being- this principle is universally
accepted but has not taken root in actual practices

The principle of Human Dignity in enshrined in the

teachings of major faiths (i.e. Christianity)
According to the Papal Encyclical “Pacem in Terris”,
Peace would be built if citizens apply
themselves seriously to respecting the rights
of others and discharging their own duties.
(Pope John XXXIII, 1963)

In Islam, it is believed that “all human beings have

the right to life at conception and after birth, a
right to full opportunities to lead a rewarding
and satisfying life.” (Mahmood-Abedin, 2001)
 HUMAN DIGNITY AND PEACE EDUCATION

Human Rights Education: education that seeks to

uphold human dignity and is closely linked to peace
education.
One of peace education’s major concern is to promote
human dignity and well being because it is believed to
be the foundation of peace
Betty Reardon: “The achievement of positive
conditions of human rights provide the
foundation of non-violent social order and
greatly reduces the cause of armed conflict and
war.”
In the Philippines, a survey conducted by the National
Unification Commission showed that massive poverty and
injustices were ranked as the highest factors that caused armed
conflict

These factors can also be described as constituting the denial of

fundamental human rights of people

Education has a role to play in cultivating the minds, attitudes

and behaviors that would reject these conditions of violence
and at the same time encourage a firm belief and practice of
respect for the life, dignity and well being of all people.
UN Declaration of 2001-2010 (Decade of Peace)
 A manifesto was initiated by UNESCO signed by millions
 “Respect for life and dignity of each human being”
-this indicates the connection bet. Peace and human dignity.
 What are human rights?

Human rights are rights inherent to all human

beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence,
sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion,
language, or any other status.
We are all equally entitled to our human rights
without discrimination.
These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and
indivisible.
Universal human rights are often expressed and
guaranteed by law, in the forms of treaties,
customary international law , general principles and
other sources of international law.
International human rights law lays down
obligations of Governments to act in certain ways or
to refrain from certain acts, in order to promote and
protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of
individuals or groups.
 HUMAN RIGHTS

Universal and inalienable

Interdependent and indivisible
Equal and non-discriminatory
Both Rights and Obligations
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION
OF HUMAN RIGHTS

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 Human Rights

Before WWII
Peace of Westphalia of 1648
States have claimed that they can treat their citizens
as they wish

After WWII
 Human rights declarations and treaties, global and regional,
have steadily appeared as international law.
 UDHP

UDHP was adopted by the UN General Assembly on

December 10, 1948.
UDHP was proclaimed as a “common standard of
achievement for all peoples and all nations.”
Provides a common understanding of human rights
which is agreed upon by Member states.
 Introduction

All human beings can only live free in a peaceful and

fair world if their human rights and dignity are
respected.
 Summary of UDHR
Articles Words to Remember

Article 1 Dignity

Article 2 Equality

Article 3 Life

Article 4 Slavery

Article 5 Torture

Articles 6- 8 Law

Article 9 Prison

Articles 10-11 Justice

Article 12 Privacy

Article 13 Movement
Articles Words to Remember
Article 14 Refugees
Article 15 Nationality
Article 16 Marriage
Article 17 Property
Article 18 Religion
Article 19 Expression
Article 20 Assembly
Article 21 Democracy
Article 22 Social Security
Article 23 Work
Article 24 Rest
Article 25 Want
 Articles Words to Remember

Article 26 Education

Article 27 Culture

Article 28 Peace

Article 29 Community

Article 30

“Nothing in this declaration may be interpreted as implying for

any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity to
perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights set
forth herein.”
Civil and Political Rights

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 Civil and Political Rights

Civil Rights
 Personal liberties that belong to an individual, owing to his or
her status as a citizen or resident of a particular country or
community.
Political Rights
 Entail the power to participate directly or indirectly in the
establishment or administration of government, such as the right
of citizenship, the right to vote, and the right to hold public office.
 Civil Rights

• Article 3 – Right to life, liberty and personal

security
• Article 4 – Freedom from slavery
• Article 5 – Freedom from torture and degrading
treatment
• Article 9 – Freedom from arbitrary arrest and exile
• Article 10 – Right to a fair public hearing
• Article 11 – Right to be considered innocent until
proven guilty
 Civil Rights

Article 12 – Freedom from interference with privacy,

family, home and correspondence
Article 13 – Right to free movement in and out of the
country
Article 16 – Right to marriage and family
Article 19 – Freedom of opinion and information
 Political Rights

Article 14 – Right to asylum in other countries from

persecution
Article 20 – Right of peaceful assembly and
association
Article 21 – Right to participate in government and
in free elections
 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

The ICCPR was adopted by the United Nations

General Assembly on 16 December 1966. The ICCPR
was to take effect ten years later in all nations that
had become state parties. A sufficient number of
states had become parties so the ICCPR took effect as
planned in 1976. The ICCPR promotes universal
respect for and observance of, human rights and
freedoms.
 Violations against Civil and Political Rights

Culture of impunity
Political repression
torture
 International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
 The International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights (ICESCR) was supervised by the
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
established by Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC) resolution 1985/17 of 28 May 1985
 The International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights was adopted and opened for
signature, ratification and accession by General
Assembly resolution 2200 A (XXI) of 16 December
1966.

 After almost 20 years of drafting debates, it finally

gained the force of law a decade later, entering into
force on 3 January 1976.
Article 1: Self- “people . . . freely determine their political
determination status and freely pursue their economic, social
and cultural development

“All peoples may, for their own ends, freely

dispose of their natural wealth and resources
without prejudice to any obligations arising out
of international economic co-operation . . .”

Article 2: "undertakes to take steps . . . by all appropriate

Obligations of State means,including particularly the adoption of
Parties legislative measures"

"to [achieve] progressively the full realization of

the rights"

"to the maximum of its available resources"

"without discrimination"
Article 3: Equal Rights The States Parties to the present Covenant
for Men and Women undertake to ensure the equal right of men and
women to the enjoyment of all economic, social
and cultural rights set forth in the present
Covenant.
Article 4 and 5: “. . . , in the enjoyment of those rights provided by
Limitations the State in conformity with the present Covenant,
the State may subject such rights only to such
limitations as are determined by law only in so far
as this may be compatible with the nature of these
rights and solely for the purpose of promoting the
general welfare in a democratic society. “

“Nothing in the present Covenant may be

interpreted as implying for any State, group or
person any right to engage in any activity or to
perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of
the rights or freedoms recognized herein, or at
their limitation to a greater extent than is provided
for in the present Covenant. “
Article 6: The Right to “ . . . includes the right of everyone to the
Work opportunity to gain his living by work which he
freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate
steps to safeguard this right. “

“ . . . shall include technical and vocational

guidance and training programmes, policies and
techniques to achieve steady economic, social and
cultural development and full and productive
employment under conditions safeguarding
fundamental political and economic freedoms to
the individual. “
Article 7: The Right to (a) Remuneration which provides all workers, as a
Just and Favorable minimum, with:
Conditions of Work (i) Fair wages and equal remuneration for work of
equal value without distinction of any kind, in
particular women being guaranteed conditions of
work not inferior to those enjoyed by men, with
equal pay for equal work;
(ii) A decent living for themselves and their
families in accordance with the provisions of the
present Covenant;
(b) Safe and healthy working conditions;
(c) Equal opportunity for everyone to be promoted
in his employment to an appropriate higher level,
subject to no considerations other than those of
seniority and competence;
(d ) Rest, leisure and reasonable limitation of
working hours and periodic holidays with pay, as
well as remuneration for public holidays
Article 8: The Right to “ The right of everyone to form trade unions and
Form and Join Trade join the trade union of his choice”
Unions
“The right of trade unions to establish national
federations or confederations and the right of the
latter (people) to form or join international trade-
union organizations.”

“The right of trade unions to function freely

subject to no limitations other than those
prescribed by law and which are necessary in a
democratic society . . .”

“The right to strike, provided that it is exercised in

conformity with the laws of the particular
country.“
Article 9: The Right to The States Parties to the present Covenant
Social Security and recognize the right of everyone to social security,
Social Insurance including social insurance.
Article 10: Protection “Special protection should be accorded to mothers
and Assistance for the during a reasonable period before and after
Family childbirth. During such period working mothers
should be accorded paid leave or leave with
adequate social security benefits. “

“Children and young persons should be protected

from economic and social exploitation . . . States
should also set age limits below which the paid
employment of child labour should be prohibited
and punishable by law.”
Article 11: The Right to “ . . . recognizing the fundamental right of
an Adequate Standard everyone to be free from hunger. . .”
of Living
“To improve methods of production, conservation
and distribution of food by making full use of
technical and scientific knowledge”

“Taking into account the problems of both food-

importing and food-exporting countries, to ensure
an equitable distribution of world food supplies in
relation to need. “
Article 12: The Right to (a)The provision for the reduction of the stillbirth-
the Highest Attainable rate and of infant mortality and for the healthy
Standard Of Physical development of the child;
and Mental Health
(b) The improvement of all aspects of
environmental and industrial hygiene;

(c) The prevention, treatment and control of

epidemic, endemic, occupational and other
diseases;

(d) The creation of conditions which would assure

to all medical service and medical attention in the
event of sickness.
Article 13 and 14: The “They agree that education shall be directed to the
Right to Education full development of the human personality and the
sense of its dignity, and shall strengthen the
respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms. They further agree that education shall
enable all persons to participate effectively in a
free society, promote understanding, tolerance and
friendship among all nations and all racial, ethnic
or religious groups, and further the activities of the
United Nations for the maintenance of peace. “

“. . . respect for the liberty of parents and, when

applicable, legal guardians to choose [school] for
their children . . .”

“. . . the principle of compulsory education free of

charge for all. “
Article 15: The Right to “The steps . . . shall include those necessary for the
Culture and to Benefit conservation, the development and the diffusion of
from Scientific science and culture. “
Progress
“. . . respect the freedom indispensable for
scientific research and creative activity. “

“ . . . the present Covenant recognize the benefits

to be derived from the encouragement and
development of international contacts and co-
operation in the scientific and cultural fields. “
Article 16 - 25:
Monitoring Functions
Assigned to the United
Nations Economic and
Social Council
(ECOSOC)
The Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination Against Women

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 What is CEDAW?

Also known as the International Bill of Rights for

Women
The only international treaty that comprehensively
addresses women’s rights.
Features women’s political, civic, economic, social
and cultural rights.
 What is CEDAW?

It was adopted by the United Nations General

Assembly on December 18, 1979
Philippines is a signatory to this Convention.
It is consisted of a preamble and 30 articles wherein
it defines discrimination against women.
It aims to set up an agenda for national action to end
gender discrimination.
 Aims of CEDAW
Source: UNIFEM CEDAW- Southeast Asia Programme

To bring substantive equality of women

To prohibit actions and policies that put women at a
disadvantage whatever its intentions
It recognizes the influence of culture and tradition
on restricting enjoyment of their rights
Discards distinction between private & public
sphere, by recognizing violations of women in
private sphere
 Preamble

“Affirming that the strengthening of international peace and

security, the relaxation of international tension, mutual co-
operation among all States irrespective of their social and
economic systems, general and complete disarmament, in
particular nuclear disarmament under strict and effective
international control, the affirmation of the principles of
justice, equality and mutual benefit in relations among
countries and the realization of the right of peoples under
alien and colonial domination and foreign occupation to
self-determination and independence, as well as respect for
national sovereignty and territorial integrity, will promote
social progress and development and as a consequence will
contribute to the attainment of full equality between men
and women,”
 Articles in CEDAW

1. Definition of discrimination
2. Policy measures to be undertaken to eliminate
discrimination
3. Guarantees basic human rights and fundamental
freedoms on an equal basis with men
4. Temporary special measures to achieve equality
5. Sex roles and stereotyping
 Articles in CEDAW

6. Prostitution
7. Political and public life
8. Participation in the international level
9. Nationality
10. Equal rights in education
11. Employment
12. Health care and family planning
13. Economic and social benefits
 Articles in CEDAW

14. Rural women

15. Equality before the law
16. Marriage and family law
17. – 22. Establishment and Function of CEDAW
23. – 30. Administration of the Convention
 CEDAW & the Philippines

Since Philippines is a signatory to the CEDAW, it

came up with laws that depict protection for women.
 RA 7877 “Anti-Sexual Harrassment Act”
 RA 8353 “Anti Rape Law”
 RA 8505 “Rape Victim Assistance & Protection Act”
 RA 9208 “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act”
 RA 9262 “Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act”
 CEDAW & the Philippines

Philippines also came up with “WOMEN’S DESKS”

in partnership with Philippine National Police
(PNP), Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) and Department of Health
(DOH) and other government offices.
United Nations Security Council issued two
resolutions that uphold the rights of women.
 UN Security Council

1. United Nations Resolution 1325

- adopted on October 31, 2000
o ensure increased representation of women
o expand role of women in UN operations
o actors to adopt a gender perspective in negotiation
processes
o armed conflicts should fully respect international laws
applicable to protect women and girls
 UN Security Council

1. United Nations Resolution 1820

- adopted on June 19, 2008
o all parties in armed conflict should cease all acts of
sexual violence against civilians
o notes that rape and other forms of sexual violence
can constitute a war crime
o take the necessary measures to prevent and respond
sexual violence
o stresses important role of Peace building
commission
o urges all actors to provide assistance to sexual
violence victims
CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS
OF THE CHILD
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 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1989 and

entered into force in September 1990.
is a significant document because it recognizes for the
first time the children’s rights as a distinct human rights
category that should be protected and promoted.
ARTICLE 1 Definition of Child ARTICLE 16 Privacy, honor and
reputation
ARTICLE 2 Non-Discrimination ARTICLE 17 Access to information and
ARTICLE 3 Best interests of the child media
ARTICLE 18 Parental responsibility
ARTICLE 4 Implementation of rights
ARTICLE 19 Abuse and neglect (while
ARTICLE 5 Parents, family, in family or [other] care)
community, rights
and responsibilities ARTICLE 20 Alternative care for
ARTICLE 6 Life, survival and children in the absence of
development parents

ARTICLE 7 Name and nationality ARTICLE 21 Adoption

ARTICLE 8 Preservation of identity ARTICLE 22 Refugee children

ARTICLE 9 Non-separation from ARTICLE 23 Disabled children
parents
ARTICLE 10 Family reunification ARTICLE 24 Health care

ARTICLE 11 Illicit transfer and non- ARTICLE 25 Periodic review

return of children
ARTICLE 26 Social security
ARTICLE 12 Expression of opinion
ARTICLE 27 Standard of living
ARTICLE 13 Freedom of expression
and information ARTICLE 28 Education
ARTICLE 14 Freedom of thought,
conscience and ARTICLE 29 Aims of education
religion
ARTICLE 30 Children of minorities and
ARTICLE 15 Freedom of association indigenous children
ARTICLE 31 Play and recreation

ARTICLE 32 Protection from economic exploitation

ARTICLE 33 Protection from narcotic and psychotropic

substances

ARTICLE 34 Protection from sexual exploitation

ARTICLE 35 Protection from abduction, sale and traffic

ARTICLE 36 Protection from other forms of exploitation

ARTICLE 37 Protection from torture, capital punishment,,

deprivation of liberty

ARTICLE 38 Protection against armed conflicts

ARTICLE 39 Recovery and reintegration

ARTICLE 40 Juvenile justice

ARTICLE 41 Rights of the child in other instruments

ARTICLE 42 Dissemination of the Convention

ARTICLES 43-54 Implementation

The 54 articles of the CRC describe 4 categories of rights:

1. Survival rights cover a child’s right to life and

the needs that are most basic to existence. It starts
from the time of conception. Upon birth, every child
should enjoy the basic right to health and nutrition.
Development rights include what children
require to reach their fullest potential. It encompasses
freedom of thought, conscience and religion, access to
appropriate information and the right to education,
leisure, recreation and cultural activities.
Protection rights recognizes the vulnerability of
children by preserving their identity and nationality as
well as providing safeguards against abuse, neglect, child
labor, drug abuse, sexual exploitation, sale and trafficking,
torture and deprivation of liberty and armed conflict.
Participation rights allow children to take an
active role in their communities and nations.

Castro, Loreta, and Galace, Jasmin. Peace Education: A Pathway To A Culture Of Peace. Quezon City: Center
for Peace Education, Miriam College, 2008.
 RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITES

We expect our rights to be respected, protected and

promoted but we should also bear the corresponding
responsibilites.
We cannot think only of our own right while
disregarding the rights of others
When we exercise our rights we must be careful in
not violation or denying the rights of other people