The aspects of human rights and my response to this issue

The topic of human rights is a controversial issue, and many hold differing points of view and perspectives on human rights. Documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reflect the perspective that human rights are universal and that everyone in the world is entitled to the same rights – including freedom of speech, the right to an education, equality rights, and discrimination rights – simply because they are human. However, those with different perspectives point out that human rights presented in international covenants such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights ignore the differences in tradition, religion, and social patterns of diverse ethnicities and societies that do not share the same traditions or values. Regardless of cultural differences, the basic physical needs such as food, clean drinking water, and life-sustaining shelter are universally imperative human rights.

As a global citizen, it is my responsibility, as well as the larger community's, to uphold and fight for human rights worldwide. Globally interconnected trade provides an opportunity to encourage human rights, as exemplified in the situation in South Africa during the years of apartheid where trade sanctions were employed by other nations to advocate human rights. Also, ever improving communication technologies such as the Internet present the opportunity to generate awareness about human right's violations, organize online petitions, and inform people about current issues. Through the use of websites and blogs, the Internet also acts as a voice for protests against infringements of civil rights around the world.

On a personal level, there are several actions I can take to promote both basic human rights, such as food and clean drinking water, as well as other human rights such as equality and freedom of speech. Every year, I participate in World Vision's 30 Hour Famine. I raise money through donations from those in my community in order to provide people in developing countries with food and safe drinking water. This seemingly insignificant action creates awareness in my community of the needs of those around the world who are denied even the most basic human rights and allows me to contribute to the fight for the preservation of civil rights. This blog allows me to exemplify and advocate for freedom of speech; it also provides me with an opportunity to promote human rights worldwide via the Internet and fulfill my responsibility as a global citizen.