ℹ️ This is a simplified version of the document. For regular English, see here.
What is this document?
Humans disagree about how to run a society. There is fighting between different political and economic systems, religions, ideologies and values. But at least we can can agree that we all deserve a dignified and happy life.
This document tries to be a short summary of what the humanity wants, what it deserves, and what it should fight for. Not in a form of a law written by the powerful people pretending to care, but as a agreement between common people.
It’s a demand – saying that if governments want to stay in power, they must actually fulfill our needs and respect our human rights.
Isn't there already a Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
Yes there is! And it is an important step in the right direction. But we can take those ideas further.
UDHR was written by the United Nations General Assembly. Governments have agreed to give us some rights – at least on paper. But if we all have a right to “a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being […] including food, clothing, housing and medical care”, then why are so many of us hungry, poor, homeless and sick?
Let’s look at it a different way. Our basic human rights are not something that governments can decide to give us or not to give us. They are the basis of all law and power of any government.
Notice that the UNHR gives us a right to “take part in the government” through elections – but not a right to remove a government if it stops caring about letting us live a happy life.
This is why we announce this list of rights. Rights that are not given, but taken. Not true sometimes, but always. Not hopes and dreams, but a real demand.
Is this document law?
It is like every law: it is only real if we decide to follow it.
We follow some laws because we want to, because we believe that they’re just and needed. We follow other laws only because we have to, because police and army makes us.
But we can’t forget that we are the army that they fear the most.
What can I do with this document?
Whatever you want. It doesn’t belong to anyone.
But ideally: read it, share it, and demand that your government respects it!
Article 0 – Introduction
We, The People, all over the Earth, announce that together we decide:
- to confirm that we are all born with Dignity and Humanity that cannot be taken away,
- to give each other the Human Rights we all deserve,
- to demand that any power has to really try to fulfill all our Rights, if it wants to remain a power.
Article 1 – Power and Government
All power belongs to The People.
The Government is The People coming together to fulfill their needs, to agree on common rules, enforce them, and to ensure each other’s Human Rights.
The Government gets its power only from the agreement of the people it governs.
The People have a moral right and a real power to shape, change and remove The Government.
Article 2 – Basic Human Rights
Everybody has the right to live, to be free, and to freely decide about their life.
Everybody is a person before the law, is equal before the law, and must have equal rights, equal protections and equal opportunities. Nobody can be discriminated against based on how they were born like.
Everybody has the right to peace and security in a world without weapons that prefers working together, not fighting.
Everybody has the right to personal safety, to freedom from torture.
Everybody has the right to clean and safe environment.
Everybody has the right to own things, alone or together with others.
Everybody has the right to privacy and secrecy of communication; to be free of intrusion into their family life, home, and communication; to be protected from attacks on their honour and reputation.
Every child is under special protection and should have a safe environment to grow.
Article 3 – Universal Basic Needs
Everybody has the right to have their basic needs met.
Everybody has the right to healthy food and fresh, clean drinking water.
Everybody has the right to a safe and warm house, good clothing and the energy they need.
Everybody has the right to easily access information, methods of communication, and shared transportation.
Everybody has the right to medical care and social care.
Everybody has the right to education.
Everybody is free to travel and move.
Article 4 – Societal Rights
Everybody has the right to free speech, free thought, free belief, and free expression.
Everybody has the right to peacefully form groups and meet with others.
Everybody has the right to take part in the political life of the society and to decide on how to use the shared resources.
Everybody has the right to take part in the economy; to good work conditions, to freely choose work, and to trade with others. All workers have the right to a fair share of the fruits of their work and to own part of their workplaces.
Everybody has the right to take part in culture and science and to enjoy its fruits; creators have the right to the protection of their creation.
Everybody has the right to information about how The Government and political parties work and how they get and use money.
Article 5 – Limitations
We see that it is sometimes needed to limit specific rights of humans and groups, if they commit crimes against their society, or for security, safety, health, rights and freedom of others, social order, competition, or the environment. But if the rights are limited, that can only happen under clear and reasonable rules that The People agree on and writes down as law. It has to have a goal to rebuild relationships and restore balance in the community.
Everybody has the right to fair trial: to be innocent until there is proof they are guilty, to be heard by a skilled, impartial court, to be heard in a reasonable time, to ask for and to get legal advice, translation, and public hearing.
Government can take someone’s land only if that means great good for the society, if they pay fairly for it, and if the proper Government body agrees.
This list of Human Rights doesn’t mean that other rights are not true just because they aren’t on the list.
To make sure everyone’s Human Rights are respected, everybody must respect rights and freedoms of others and give to their community as much as they can.