Ramblings about Human Rights: 1

History 500B.C. -1,000 A.D.
Of this period in History, the notable document is:

• The Cyrus Cylinder of 539 B.C. A declaration of intentions by the Persian Emperor Cyrus the Great, after his conquest of Neo-Babylonian Empire.
• The edicts of Ashoka issued by Ashoka the Great, between 272-231 B.C.
• The Constitution of Medina of 622 A.D. drafted by Hazrat Muhammad to mark a formal agreement between all significant tribes and families of Yathrib including Muslim, Jews and Pagans.

History of Human Rights: Ancient

The belief that everyone by the virtue of her/his humanity, is entitled to certain human rights is fairly new. Its roots However, lie in the earlier tradition and documents of many cultures.It took the catalyst of the 2nd World War, to propel the Human Rights onto the global stage and into the global conscience.

Throughout much of History, people acquired rights and responsibilities through their membership in a group - a family, indigenous nation, religion, class, community or state. Most societies had traditions similar to the "Golden Rule" of "Do unto others what you would have them do unto you".

• The oldest available literature, The Vedas, clearly advocate human rights in the following text:

Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niraamayaa,
Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu, Ma Kashchid Dukh Bhagbhavet.
May all being be happy, may they all be healthy.
May everyone see(experience) good and may none suffer from Misrey!

This is a clear cut desire and prayer for the fundamental rights along with the very essential moral,natural, emotional and basic rights. In short, this prayer indicates the very essence of Human Rights, as we understand them today.

• The Babylonian Code of Hamurabi - was created by the Sumerian Kings around 4,000 years ago.Though barbaric with respect to the present day civilisation it was one of the precedants of coded legal system. The Bible, The Koran and the Analects of Confuscious - Along with the Vedas, and The Hamurabi Code, The Bible, Koran and Analects of Confuscious, form the 5 oldest written sources which address the questions about people's duties, responsibilities and rights. In addition to these, Inca and Aztec codes of conduct and justice and an eroquous construction were Native American Sources well existent before 18th Century. Concept: Human rights refer to the "basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled". The concept expands to engulf: Civil and Political Rights - such as the right to life and liberty, freedom of expression, equality before law etc. Social, Cultural and Economic Rights - include the right to food, work, education and the right to participate in culture. The human rights are the rights to which people are entitled simply because they are humans, irrespective of their citizenship, nationality, race, ethnicity, language, gender, sexuality or abilities.

Human Rights become enforceable when they are codified as conventions, covenants or treaties; or when they become recognised as Custoary International Laws. Introduction Human rights have been called by different names and have existed in various forms.The history dates back as old as the existence of civilized man does.

However, what is different is that what was "Natural Laws" at a time, has now evolved to include even abstract components like Moral laws, ethical laws and other subtle concepts.

I shall in this essay, first define what human rights are and then understand the origin, history and evolution of the concept. We often observe that Human rights vary on the basis of age, gender, religion, caste, creed, community and nationality. Even with the same fundaments, the specifications differ.

Belonging to India, I shall also try to trace very specifically the chronology of Human Rights in India. This is basically for understanding and appreciating the Rights Indians have gained over years.

To be contd....

©anu (Exploring Myself)