What are the universal human rights? - Benedetta Berti

譯者: Crystal Yip 審譯者: Ivy Wang

The idea of human rights is that each one of us,

「人權」這觀念 意謂每一個人

no matter who we are or where we are born,

不論身份，不論出生地

is entitled to the same basic rights and freedoms.

都享有相同的基本權利和自由

Human rights are not privileges,

人權不是種種特權

and they cannot be granted or revoked.

它們均不能由他人賦予或褫奪

They are inalienable and universal.

它們是不可剝奪的，而且是普世的

That may sound straighforward enough,

這聽來簡單易明

but it gets incredibly complicated

但它變得非常複雜

as soon as anyone tries to put the idea into practice.

當有人嘗試實踐這理念

What exactly are the basic human rights?

哪些是基本人權？

Who gets to pick them?

這由誰決定？

Who enforces them, and how?

誰執行它們，並如何執行？

The history behind the concept of human rights is a long one.

人權這觀念源遠流長

Throughout the centuries and across societies, religions, and cultures

歷經多個世紀， 橫跨種種社會、宗教和文化

we have struggled with defining notions of rightfulness, justice, and rights.

我們都在掙扎如何定義 「正當」、「正義」和「權利」

But one of the most modern affirmations of universal human rights

但其中一個 最現代對於普世人權的肯定

emerged from the ruins of World War II with the creation of the United Nations.

出現在第二次世界大戰後， 伴隨著聯合國的創立

The treaty that established the UN gives as one of its purposes

建立聯合國的條約申明， 它其中一個目的

to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights.

是重新確立對於基本人權的信念

And with the same spirit,

本著相同精神

in 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

於1948， 聯合國大會通過《世界人權宣言》

This document, written by an international committee chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt,

這文件由愛蓮娜．羅斯福主持的 國際委員會起草

lays the basis for modern international human rights law.

為現代國際人權法奠下基礎

The declaration is based on the principle

宣言建基於一個原則：

that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

所有人都生而自由，並享有平等的尊嚴和權利

It lists 30 articles recognizing, among other things,

宣言列出30條權利

the principle of nondiscrimination and the right to life and liberty.

例如，承認不歧視原則， 肯定生存和自由的權利

It refers to negative freedoms, like the freedom from torture or slavery,

宣言包括消極自由， 例如免受酷刑和奴役的自由

as well as positive freedoms,

也包括積極自由

such as the freedom of movement and residence.

例如遷徙往來的自由

It encompasses basic civil and political rights,

宣言涉及公民和政治權利

such as freedom of expression, religion, or peaceful assembly,

例如表達自由、宗教自由與 和平集會的自由

as well as social, economic, and cultural rights,

同時涉及社會、經濟和文化權利

such as the right to education

例如受教育的權利

and the right to freely choose one's occupation

自由選擇職業

and be paid and treated fairly.

並享有公平薪酬待遇的權利

The declaration takes no sides as to which rights are more important,

宣言並無判斷這些權利孰輕孰重

insisting on their universality,

而是強調它們是普世的

indivisibility,

不可分割的

and interdependence.

而且互相依存的

And in the past decades, international human rights law has grown,

在過去數十年， 國際人權法持續發展

deepening and expanding our understanding of what human rights are,

我們對於「人權」的理解更為深廣

and how to better protect them.

也更清楚如何保障「人權」

So if these principles are so well-developed,

若果這些原則已經如此完善

then why are human rights abused and ignored time and time again

為何濫用和漠視人權的情況

all over the world?

在世界不同角落仍不斷發生？

The problem in general is that it is not at all easy

概括而言，問題在於

to universally enforce these rights or to punish transgressors.

普世地執行這些權利或 懲罰違反者並不容易

The UDHR itself, despite being highly authoritative and respected,

《世界人權宣言》雖然權威並受尊重

is a declaration, not a hard law.

但只是宣言， 而非能拘束主權國家的法律

So when individual countries violate it,

所以當個別國家觸犯它

the mechanisms to address those violations are weak.

相應的處理機制是軟弱的

For example, the main bodies within the UN in charge of protecting human rights

例如，聯合國內 負責保障人權的主要組織

mostly monitor and investigate violations,

大多監察和調查違反人權的情況

but they cannot force states to, say, change a policy or compensate a victim.

但它們對國家沒有約束力， 例如不能迫使國家改變政策或賠償受害者

That's why some critics say it's naive to consider human rights a given

這正是為何一些評論說 「人權天賦」的說法幼稚

in a world where state interests wield so much power.

幼稚在忽略 這是一個國家利益支配權力的世界

Critics also question the universality of human rights

評論也質疑人權的普世性

and emphasize that their development

並強調「人權」的歷史演變

has been heavily guided by a small number of mostly Western nations

深受少數國家 （多為西方國家）的影響

to the detriment of inclusiveness.

有損「人權」的包容性

The result?

結果呢

A general bias in favor of civil policital liberties

普遍偏向認為公民政治權利

over sociopolitical rights

凌駕社會政治權利

and of individual over collective or groups rights.

而且個人權利凌駕集體權利

Others defend universal human rights laws

一些人則捍衛普世的人權法

and point at the positive role they have on setting international standards

指出這些法律有助建立國際標準

and helping activists in their campaigns.

也有助推動人權運動

They also point out

同時，這些人也指出

that not all international human rights instruments are powerless.

不是所有國際的人權組織皆無權力

For example, the European Convention on Human Rights establishes a court

例如，《歐洲人權公約》設立法院

where the 47 member countries and their citizens can bring cases.

47個成員國和其居民均能提出訴訟

The court issues binding decisions that each member state must comply with.

成員國必須遵從法院作出的決定

Human rights law is constantly evolving

人權法隨著

as are our views and definitions of what the basic human rights should be.

我們對於基本人權的看法和定義 而不斷演變

For example, how basic or important is the right to democracy

例如， 享有民主的權利有多基本或重要？

or to development?

發展的權利又如何？

And as our lives are increasingly digital,

當我們的生活日漸數碼化

should there be a right to access the Internet?

我們應該享有上網的權利嗎？

A right to digital privacy?

或是數碼私隱的權利？

What do you think?

你的意見呢？