18. Memorandum from the International
Association for Human Values (UK)
1 SUMMARY
This response is from the UK branch of the International
Association for Human Values, IAHV (UK). IAHV is an international
volunteer-based NGO which was founded in Geneva in 1997 to foster
a deeper understanding of the human values that unite us as a
global community and to foster a reawakening of these universal
human values in all sectors of society throughout the world.
In this response, IAHV (UK) gives strong support
to the inclusion of responsibilities, as well as individual rights,
in a British Bill of Rights.
We particularly wish to draw to the attention
of the Joint Committee the importance of human values in achieving
the vision of universal human rights first set out in the United
Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Human values
are those attributes and qualities that represent the very essence
of what it means to be human, including non-violence, a deep caring
for all life, compassion, friendliness, cooperation and service
to society.
We also wish to make the Joint Committee aware
of a proposed draft Universal Declaration of Human Values, launched
in March 2007, which provides a roadmap for achieving universal
human rights as well as understanding and harmony among different
people and cultures throughout the world.
We make a case that it is vital for human values
to be part of a British Bill of Rights, and we call upon the Joint
Committee to assist with reawakening human values by incorporating
in the Bill provisions which emphasize the urgent need at all
levels of society to acknowledge, encourage, and reward universal
human values. It our strong belief that only in this way will
universal human rights become a reality.
2 INTRODUCTION
This document is a response to the Call for
Evidence from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights
(JCHR) and the inquiry it is undertaking into whether and why
a British Bill of Rights is needed and what rights should be contained
in such a Bill of Rights; what should be the relationship between
a British Bill of Rights, the Human Rights Act and the UK's other
international human rights obligations; and what should be the
impact of such a Bill of Rights on the relationship between the
executive, Parliament and the courts. Among specific questions
are whether the Bill should include responsibilities as well as
individual rights.
This response is from the International Association
for Human Values, IAHV (UK), a UK Registered Charity. The International
Association for Human Values (IAHV) was founded in Geneva in 1997
to foster a deeper understanding of the human values that unite
us as a global community and to foster a reawakening of these
universal human values in all sectors of society throughout the
world.
IAHV is an international volunteer-based NGO
in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC) of the United Nations. IAHV's UK branch has been a UK
registered charity since 2003, registration number 1103261.
This response focuses on the vital importance
of human values in achieving the vision of universal human rights
first set out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human
Rights in 1948. In particular, this response considers how a British
Bill of Rights could incorporate the issue of human values. Finally,
it considers the question of whether responsibilities, in addition
to individual rights, should be included in a British Bill of
Rights.
3 UNIVERSAL DECLARATION
OF HUMAN
VALUES: IMPLICATIONS
FOR A
BRITISH BILL
OF RIGHTS
We would like to bring to the attention of the
Joint Committee the vital importance of human values in achieving
universal human rights as well as fostering the harmonious coexistence
of different peoples and cultures throughout the world. We would
also like to make the Committee aware of a proposed draft Universal
Declaration of Human Values, recently launched, that offers a
new approach to achieving universal human rights, as well as greater
understanding and harmony among different people and cultures
around the world.
What Are Human Values?
By human values we mean those attributes and
qualities that are at the very heart of humanity, representing
the highest expression of the human spirit. Human values represent
the essence of what it means to be human. They include non-violence,
a deep caring for all life, compassion, friendliness, cooperation,
generosity and service to society.
Human values do not depend on, and are not derived
from, any external authority. As the innate potential within all
people, human values are already present in every human being;
they need only be rekindled to thrive and grow.
What is the Universal Declaration of Human Values?
With the aim of starting a global discussion
about human values, a proposed Universal Declaration of Human
Values was launched on 28 March 2007 in Washington DC, USA, by
the principle founder of the International Association for Human
Values, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Drafted in the form of a proposed resolution
of the United Nations General Assembly, the Universal Declaration
of Human Values represents a vision for a fresh approach to
fostering understanding and harmonious coexistence among different
peoples and cultures, offering a roadmap for the way out of the
increasing conflict and violence that is engulfing the world today.
It emphasizes the urgent need to rekindle human values throughout
the world in order to achieve peace, security and universal human
rights. It is the intention that this Declaration serve as a tool
to begin a global discussion of the issues it raises. The text
of the declaration is attached as an Annex to this submission.
The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon,
referring to the launch of this Universal Declaration lent his
support to the importance of these values: "It is reassuring
to know that you—a diverse assembly of origins and cultures—have
gathered to celebrate your commitment to global harmony and peaceful
coexistence. The values you champion, including non-violence,
compassion and the sanctity of all life, go to the heart of what
the United Nations stands for.".
It is our view that this Declaration contains
key points that should be considered in drafting a British Bill
of Rights.
Human Values and Human Rights
What are the implications of this proposed Universal
Declaration of Human Values for a British Bill of Rights?
The preamble of the proposed Universal Declaration
of Human Values makes specific reference to a commitment to the
principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to
the subsequent existing international human rights instruments.
However, it points out that grave human rights violations continue
around the world, despite more than half a century of efforts
to achieve human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
The Declaration then goes on to propose a solution.
The Declaration emphasizes the vital importance of human values
in any strategy to achieve human rights. A global resurgence of
human values is essential not just to achieve universal human
rights, but also to foster harmonious coexistence among different
peoples and cultures generally, and to achieve peace and security
on the planet. To achieve such a resurgence of human values, efforts
are needed by all levels of government, all institutions of society,
all organisations and each and every individual, to nurture and
strengthen universal human values. It is essential that human
values be acknowledged, honoured, encouraged and rewarded throughout
all sectors of society.
Education is key in this strategy. Broad-based
education in universal human values is essential. Multi-cultural,
multi-religious education is urgently needed to bring people together
and foster harmony in diversity.
As in the Universal Declaration of Human Values,
it is our view that a British Bill of Rights should also contain
an aspirational component, as opposed to a purely legalistic approach.
In particular, a British Bill of Rights should emphasize the urgent
need for educational initiatives to foster human values in order
to achieve universal human rights.
4 HUMAN VALUES
AND THE
BRITISH BILL
OF RIGHTS
It is vital for human values to be part of a
British Bill of Rights, and we call upon the Joint Committee to
assist with reawakening human values by incorporating in the Bill
provisions which emphasise the urgent need at all levels of society
to acknowledge, encourage, and reward universal human values.
It our strong belief that only in this way will universal human
rights become a reality.
Particular attention, we suggest, should be
given to the inclusion in the Bill of Rights of:
1)
Emphasising the need to foster human values such
as non-violence, a deep caring for all life, compassion, friendliness,
cooperation and generosity, as a common standard of achievement
for all British citizens.
3)
The provision by citizens of service to society—what
we would today call "volunteering" or "voluntary
work".
5 THE NEED
FOR RESPONSIBILITIES
IN A
BRITISH BILL
OF RIGHTS
The inclusion of responsibilities, in addition
to individual rights, in a British Bill of Rights is strongly
supported by IAHV (UK).
It is our view that for every individual "right"
that is guaranteed, there is a concomitant "responsibility"
to others that is implied in that right. For example, if I have
the right to life / freedom of speech, etc, I also have the responsibility
to accord to others that same right. At the very least, I have
the responsibility not to deprive them of that right. Responsibilities
are the flip side of rights; they imply an obligation on the part
of all to give something back to that society which has guaranteed
their individual rights.
A recognition that rights imply concomitant
responsibilities is, we believe, very much in keeping with a heightened
social awareness and commitment to the welfare of society generally
that results naturally from the increased emphasis on human values
that we advocate.
To sum up, it is our view that human values
are a key consideration on both sides of the human rights "equation".
First, a rekindling of human values is essential in order for
individual human rights to flourish. Secondly, a rekindling of
human values will also give rise to a greater sense of social
responsibility and concern for the general welfare: eg, "What
can I contribute to society?" "How can I help?"
For these reasons, IAHV (UK) strongly supports
the inclusion of responsibilities, in addition to individual rights,
in a British Bill of Rights.
6 CONCLUSION
For a British Bill of Rights to recognise that
rights imply concomitant responsibilities is, we believe, very
much in keeping with a heightened social awareness and commitment
to the welfare of British society generally that flows naturally
from an increased emphasis on human values.
In addition, a British Bill of Rights provides
an opportunity, by means of the inclusion of human values, both
to encourage the reawakening human values, and to set a standard
of behaviour of British citizens that will serve as a reference
point for the next half century and beyond.
IAHV (UK) would be pleased to work further with
the Joint Committee to develop the contents of a British Bill
of Human Rights and to encourage the reawakening of human values.
31 August 2008
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