Human Rights Principles: Equality, Difference, and Social Justice
Envisioning a World of Justice and Solidarity
How can we disrupt current projections of the future and foster renewed hope? By creating a world where we truly embody the values of equal justice and solidarity.
Key Societal Transformations Envisioned
What are the transformative aspirations for society? These include:
- Street children will no longer be treated as disposable; indeed, the very concept of ‘street children’ will cease to exist.
- The world’s physical deserts and the ‘deserts of the soul’ will be reforested and revitalized.
- Justice and liberty, like inseparable twins, will live in close harmony.
- The world will cease its war against the poor. Instead, poverty and the military industry will have no choice but to declare bankruptcy.
- The crime of ‘stupidity’ will be incorporated into the penal code.
- We will embrace all people who strive for justice and beauty as our compatriots.
The Fundamental Right to Equality
The right to equality dictates that no human being can be excluded or considered of lesser value. Absolutely all human beings should have equal opportunity to develop freely and fully as individuals.
Complementary Principles of Equality
Two statements complement the right to equality:
- Recognition and Realization: This is the recognition and realization of the ethical principle of equality, which legitimizes everyone’s right to work and a decent life.
- Fraternity and Solidarity: This involves the recognition of the values of fraternity and solidarity as democratic values, serving as pillars or foundations upon which equality is based.
Adela Cortina on Solidarity and Equality
According to Adela Cortina, achieving equality requires the solidarity of all. This means the stronger must help the weaker, and everyone must contribute their best to ensure that all benefit.
Embracing the Right to Difference
The right to difference is founded on the value of respect, particularly the respect we owe to all people. It assumes that we are all unique, recognizing that these interpersonal differences complement and enrich us.
Core Ethical Principles of Difference
Two ethical principles underpin the right to difference:
- Equal Dignity: All human beings are born equal in dignity and share the right to equality.
- Unique Individuality: All humans are unique and unrepeatable, and are entitled to respect for their differences.
José Sánchez Tortosa on Equality and Uniformity
José Sánchez Tortosa posits that equality is radically distinct from uniformity. Uniformity implies that we should all be identical. In contrast, a democracy with true equality is one where everyone can be themselves without incurring any discrimination or persecution.
Gender Equality: Challenging Machismo
Defining Machismo
Machismo is an attitude of superiority of men over women, based on the assumption that men are superior to women in every way.
Women’s Historical Fight for Liberation
Women have endured machismo for centuries, intensifying their constant and tireless struggle for equality and against patriarchy from the eighteenth century onwards. This struggle has yielded significant achievements, including:
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- The Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
- The International Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
- The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women
UN Stance on Violence Against Women
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Gender-Based Violence
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations has emphasized that states must ensure that violence against women and girls is prosecuted criminally, and that the economic and social rights of victims are protected.