Human Rights History

Cyrus Cylinder

539 BCE

Is an ancient clay cylinder. The text is written in Akkadian language, is divided in six parts. This Cylinder speecs about rights when Cyrus was corowned king. The Cyrus Cylinder tells an amazing story: Cyrus conquers Babylon, and what does this king of kings, this greatest king chosen by god, this most powerful man in “the four corners of the world” do? He sets all the peoples free, lets them go back to their homes and homelands.

Natural Law in Rome

27 BCE

Is a philosophy of law that is determined by nature, and so is universal. Because of the intersection between natural law and natural rights. This document it has been cited as a component in the United States Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.

Magna Carta

1215

Magna Carta is famous as a symbol of justice, fairness, and human rights. For centuries it has inspired and encouraged movements for freedom and constitutional government in Britain and around the world. But when it was issued by England’s King John in June 1215 it was an attempt to prevent a civil war between the king and his powerful barons. Magna Carta means simply ‘great charter’. A charter is a legal document issued by the king or queen which guarantees certain rights.

Natural Rights

1652

Natural and legal rights are two types of rights. Natural rights are those that are not dependent on the laws or customs of any particular culture or government, and so are universal and inalienable (they cannot repealed or restrained by human laws). Legal rights are those bestowed onto a person by a given legal system (they can be modified, repealed, and restrained by human laws).

Bill of Rights

1689

Is a document that speaks about Human Rights, The bill outlined specific constitutional and civil rights and ultimately gave Parliament power over the monarchy. Many experts regard the English Bill of Rights as the primary law that set the stage for a constitutional monarchy in England. It’s also credited as being an inspiration for the U.S. Bill of Rights.

Congress of Philadelphia

1774

The term most specifically refers to the First Continental Congress of 1774 and the Second Continental Congress of 1775–1781. More broadly, it also refers to the Congress of the Confederation of 1781–1789, thus covering the three congressional bodies of the Thirteen Colonies and the United States that met between 1774 and the inauguration of a new government in 1789 under the United States Constitution.

Declaration of Woman's Rights

1791

Can you imagine being a woman, fighting in a war for equality in your society and then being told you were still unequal? Would you speak up and fight for fair representation? In 1789, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was published. It outlined fundamental human rights, much like the American Declaration of Independence, but never included French women. Two years later, Olympe de Gouges set out to change this.

The First Geneve Convention

1864

It defines "the basis on which rest the rules of international law for the protection of the victims of armed conflicts." After the first treaty was adopted in 1864, it was significantly revised and replaced in 1906, 1929, and finally 1949. It is inextricably linked to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is both the instigator for the inception and enforcer of the articles in these conventions.

Mahatma Gandhi and India

1915

Mahatma Gandhi was a leader of nationalism in british- ruled Indian. He decided to became a political activist. Was the preeminent leader of Indian independence movement in British-ruled India.

International Labour Organization

1919

Is a United Nations agency dealing with labour problems, particularly international labour standards, social protection, and work opportunities for all. In 1969, the organisation received the Nobel Peace Prize for improving peace among classes, pursuing decent work and justice for workers, and providing technical assistance to other developing nations. The ILO registers complaints against entities that are violating international rules.

British Pact

1931

Is a pact signed in March 1931 between Gandhi and the British government. With this pact the Britihs undertake to release political prisoners, and recognize the right of the Indians.

United Nations

1945

Is an intergovernmental organization established in 1945 to promote international co-operation. The organization was created following the Second World War to prevent another such conflict. The headquarters of the United Nations is in Manhattan, New York City. There are now 193 member states.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

1948

Is a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948, after Second Word War, and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled. The Declaration consists of thirty articles.

European Convention on Human Rights

1950

Is an international treaty to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe. Any person who feels his or her rights have been violated under the Convention by a state party can take a case to the Court. The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe monitors the execution of judgements, particularly to ensure payment of the amounts awarded by the Court to the applicants in compensation for the damage they have sustained.