10/12/2011
HRA: Israel celebrates the Universal Human Rights Day

Israel celebrates the Universal Human Rights Day, by breaching Human Rights Law

By Mohammad Zeidan

Director General of the Arab Association for Human Rights

Just as mankind celebrates the International Day for Human Rights, as part of the annual commemoration of the UN resolution which approved the 'Universal Declaration of Human Rights' —one of the most important universal declarations affirming that Human Rights are universal in essence and liability—, respect of Human Rights in Israel this year is in serious decline. Official attempts to marginalize —distress really— these rights have been on the rise, mostly through racist law proposals whose core and premises are against all and every ethic and legal standards laid down and defended by the Universal Declaration.

The fast decline of Human Rights in Israel this year leaves us with a dim panorama. The surprise doesn't only come from the number of violations, but also from the numerous attempts to organize, legalize, legitimize and perpetuate these violations creating racist and distinctive laws. This practical and direct violation of Human Rights lays legal grounds that could leave the door open for political authorities and the Judiciary to violate HR as they wish.

'Human Rights are for every human being, and human beings shall be entitled to them on the simple basis of their humanity.' This is the basic principle in every international pact for Human Rights, specially the Universal Declaration for Human Rights. However, some law proposals and laws already passed by the Israeli Parliament clearly contravene Human Rights keystone and give the impression that Human and Civil Rights exist only for the State to content some citizens, 'good citizens.' Thus, liberties and rights are considered as a grant or a gift that the State awards to its citizens; they are a privilege, not their fundamental rights. Therefore, the State (meaning the Government, the Parliament, and the Judiciary) could now withdraw these rights; to take the “gift” back, if circumstances are no longer politically suitable according to its vision—the current basis of these law proposals.

Read the entire article: http://mzeidan.blogspot.com/2011/12/israel-celebrates-universal-human.html



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