Do Human Rights develop in time?

Do Human Rights develop in time?

Awareness develops. We all agree.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ICCPR 1966, recognises Human Rights as derived “from the inherent dignity of the human person”. But social awareness about the “dignity of the human person” did not have a smooth sail in time and space. Examples of its development, ups and downs, are plenty.

Centuries of struggle to protect individual’s rights, gave birth to Conventions on Human Rights, established in the second half of the 20th century. But what about the time after their establishment, a time which introduced huge global changes, unknown of in the past?

One of the factors, which shaped the global society in the past 50 years is the "Information revolution". Available high technology offers no excuse for delaying or hiding important knowledge, which affects citizen’s life and interests, and in a civilised society, the right to correct information is expected to be the rule.

Another distinguished factor in the development of local and global relationships in the past years is the emerging threat of terrorism. The threat of imposing constant fear in society influences people’s life and prosperity and affects also basic human rights.

A question emerges now: is it meaningful then to refresh the contents of the International Instruments on Human Rights to address these emerging matters in the human community?

Citizen’s Right to Live Without Fear or Intimidation

Although the expression “freedom from fear” appears in the Preamble to the ICCPR, there is no specific wording in the Convention for a citizen’s right to address and combat the threat of spreading fear.
Whether on individual or social level, threat of inducing harm- physical or psychological - should be globally considered as violation to Human Rights.
A specific wording of such a right would be a clear indication for humanity’s rejection of the doctrine of 'seeking justice through revenge and harm', as well as rejection of individual or mass intimidation.

Citizen’s Right to Correct Information

Information affecting citizen’s interest, health, rights and legal obligations - should be openly known and accessible without hindrance. Yet this basic and obvious necessity in the daily life of all citizens is not acknowledged in some countries. In some cases it is conditioned by unrealistic costs, and in other cases it is simply denied. Citizen’s Right to Correct Information affecting citizen’s life, rights, obligations and interest should be recognised as a basic right of citizen without any inhibiting condition.

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