Social Justice And Human Rights

Question 1

Human rights

Answer 1

. Basic rights and freedoms to which all human beings should be entitled.
. Only possible for all people to have these rights if they acknowledge the responsibility to respect and help provide for the rights of others.

Question 2

Social justice

Answer 2

. Ensuring society treats people fairly whether they are poor or wealthy.
. Protect people’s rights and opportunities so the least advantaged members of society are treated with the same justice and compassion as more advantaged people.

Question 3

Responsibilities

Answer 3

. In 1948 UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
. Sets out the rights that every person should be entitled.
. UK government is obliged to provide these rights to people living in the UK.
. People can only have human rights if they acknowledge the responsibility to make sure these rights are available.
. Includes the responsibility to respect other people’s rights, and the responsibility to help create access to those rights.
For example:
• Humans have the right to freedom of speech, but the responsibility not to say something that causes offence.
• Children have the right to protection from cruelty, but the responsibility not to bully or harm each other.

Question 4

The United Nations

Answer 4

. After WW2 an assembly of nations joined together to from the UN - 192 nations
. 15 members of the security - 5 permanent members: USA, UK, France, China, and Russia (winners of WW2)
. Provide Humanitarian relief after natural disasters - work with governments + charities
. Peacekeeping force, intervene in war zones to help civilians where charities can’t
. Cannot fight, only defend themselves
. UN HCR supports refugees, 30 million refugees in world
. 1/4 million child soldiers, UN fights for their freedom
. UN trains dogs and rodents to find land mines which UN disable
. Bring clean water, vaccinate children and support farmers in area of poverty
. Millennium development goals - none have been met by 2015

Question 5

Examples of human rights

Answer 5

. A fair trial
. Education
. Marriage 
. Life
. Liberty
. Security
. Privacy

Question 6

Christian views on social justice

Answer 6

. Many teachings in Bible about importance of social justice and carrying for others
. Some of the Old Testament prophets were quick to condemn injustice and looked forward to a fairer society. E.g. the prophet Amos said ‘Let justice roll on like a river and righteousness like a never-failing stream’ (Amos 12:31)
. Jesus stressed the need to help others, e.g. in his teaching ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ (Mark 12:31)

Question 7

Buddhist views on social justice

Answer 7

. Buddha taught that while suffering is inevitable, at the same time people should try to relieve suffering of others.
. Buddhists can do this through social justice projects which expresses compassion and brings communities together.
. Engaged Buddhism is a movement in Buddhism that uses the Buddha’s teachings to tackle social issues, inc. injustice.