Most people who are abused do not know they have rights. If they are vaguely aware, they do not know for sure what those rights might be. Below is an explanation (abbreviated) of how they came to be and what they are (amended version).

In 1948 the United Nations established at least 30 basic human rights so that there could be a baseline for human interaction. In street interviews by reporters, not many people seemed to know what their rights were, except maybe freedom of speech (not much good having freedom of speech if you don’t know what you’re talking about!!).

Many countries subscribe to the basic human rights as outlined at that time, but there are still many countries who still persist in abusing their citizens, particularly women and dissidents. Even in Australia it was reported in The Australian that there had been a video depicting two radical Islamic woman who seemed to condone domestic violence, saying that when all else fails the husband has the right to hit his wife. The beating was to be with a very small stick or a scarf, more or less symbolic. But was it symbolic of a real threat? They calmly described it as a “beautiful blessing” as though a woman needed it to improve her soul or mind.

This may be preceded by more abuse (or “beautiful blessings)” as mentioned by them and also in my previous pages. For example the husband may refuse sex or sleeping with the wife (putting her in Coventry), and probably not speaking to her either. Of course this behaviour would be noticed by any male children present and old enough to learn that males have these rights, and for female children that they need to fear displeasing a male who has the right to administer these “beautiful blessings”.

There was a big backlash against the views expressed in the video, and the women said that it had been misrepresented by the media (of course) and such misrepresentation indicated that they needed to be firmer in sticking to their beliefs.

Anyway, back to human rights which are observed by many countries. Below is a list of the main rights as disclosed more fully on http://www.samaritanmag.com and which I have abbreviated.

1. We are all free and equal

2. No discrimination, the rights belong to everyone

3. The right to life, freedom and safety

4. No slavery

5. No torture

6. The right to use the law

7. We are all protected by the law

8. No unfair detainment

9. The right to a fair trial

10. Fair treatment by fair courts

11. Innocent un till proven guilty

12. The right to privacy

13. Freedom to move

14. The right to asylum

15. The right to a nationality

16. The right to marry who you desire and have a family

17. The right to have your own things

18. The right to freedom of thought

19. Freedom of speech

20. Freedom to meet where you like

21. The right to democracy

22. The right to affordable housing, medicine, childcare, and medical help if we are ill or old

23. The right to be employed, to earn a fair wage and to join a union of their choice

24. The right to leisure time

25. The right to a bed and adequate food

26. The right to education

27. The right to culture, and protection for your own art, inventions, and intellectual property

28. A fair and free world with a proper order

29. Our responsibilities. We have a duty and responsibility to others, and to protect their rights and freedoms.

30. Nobody can take our rights and freedoms from us.

By now you should be ticking over as to how many of your rights have already been eroded or taken from us in our “democratic” society.

This list as mentioned in the article was provided by Youth for Human Rights International, adapted and simplified from the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was found in the website http://www.samaritanmag.com

A link to the original is supplied http://www.un.org.en/documents/udht/

People in a situation of abuse/violence can get help in a democratic society from:

Any of the Domestic Violence agencies, in the phone book or on-line

The police

A local Community Health Centre

A hospital

Your local GP/ health-care practitioner

A telephone help-line

It is acknowledged that many will find it difficult to use these agencies to get help, and in fact may find themselves in danger if they do. But they are there to help you.

You owe it to yourself and your children to get out of a situation where you are all in danger, or being influenced in an extremely negative and toxic environment. Think and plan carefully.

© Kathleen Crawford 2017

1800 Respect National Help Line  1800 737 732
Women’s Crisis Line 1800 811 811
Men’s Referral Service  1300 766 491
Life Line 24 hour Help Line  131 114
Relationships Australia
1300 364 277
Kids Help Line 1800 551 800
Men’s Line 1300 789 978
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636