I think that justice is a good thing, or at least justice being seen to be done is a good thing for society. I think fairness is a good thing, and think society is a good thing, helping others in need. Tribes within tribes within a country within an international community.
But human rights? idunno, convince me.
What does a human have a ‘right’ to expect from life. I think my answer would be that depends where you live. If you live in a country which has an environment regularly un-conducive to life and well-being then you may well die young of hunger. It means nothing to state a ‘right to work’ in those circumstances, or even a right to life. You NEED to work, you need to attempt to plough the land and raise animals or you and your family will die pretty sharpish. Either that or move to a place with a more conducive environment and/or more developed economy.
Being human is not like being a house cat, its like being a wild cat. The default position is that there is no nice owner who gives us Whiskas when we ask and a few nice toys to play with. By default we need need to work hard to stay alive. Of course im not saying that we should abandon all the advances of western society in the last 500 years. Just stating that any ‘rights’ that we have come from being part of a society, how many rights would I have if i was stranded on a desert island for a year? would it do me any good to stand on the beach, arms folded, demanding my human right to shelter, work and a living wage?
So in a society based on democracy, a citizen’s (human) rights are decided on by the elected delegates of the day. They are not some eternal law handed down from on high. So how can a government ever be found to be violating someone’s human rights?
I heard a serious person say recently that having a broadband connection was a human right. Wise up!
