Tekstboks: Human rights

Tekstboks: OSMTH - Priory of the kingdom of norway

Tekstboks: Ordo Supremus Militaris Templi Hierosolymitani The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem

Tekstboks: The respect for individual freedom and dignity is a cornerstone in democracy, rule-of-law and human rights. These basic values must be constantly defended and developed in practical policy and law enforcement. The rule-of-law and the respect for Human Rights are also, as all research shows, basic necessities for welfare and functional market economy. Human Rights are valid for everyone. They say that every man and woman is born free and equal.  Human Rights are universal. They apply all over the world, regardless of country, culture or any specific situation. We sometimes hear expressions like "It´s a human right to read one's paper in peace and quiet”. What we then forget is that Human Rights is a well defined and limited legal term. The first rules on Human rights came through the Magna Carta in England in 1215. The important principle determined here was that even the King stood under the law. In 1776 the American declaration of Independence said that "all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. In 1789 the French national assembly also declared that there are unalienable rights. These were: The right to freedom, the right to property, the right to personal safety and the right to resist oppression. In 1945 the UN was formed and in 1948 came their Universal declaration of Human Rights. Among the most important articles are:   Article 1 All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights…. Article 2 Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration….. Article 3 Everyone has the right to life, liberty and personal safety.   In 1965 it was followed by the International covenant of Civil and Political Rights and the International covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.   Links: United Nations declaration of  Human Rights International covenant of  Civil and Political Rights. International covenant of  Economical, Social and Cultural Rights American declaration of Independence (from Yale University)

Tekstboks: An NGO in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations