Comparing Rights Documents
Overview: This activity asks participants to compare rights proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) with those present in the U.S. Bill of Rights and Amendments. It challenges them to explore reasons for the presence or absence of certain rights and to reflect on the role of government in guaranteeing rights. (Note: Some prior knowledge of the UDHR and Bill of Rights is needed.)
Time: 45-90 minutes
Materials: Copies of UDHR and U.S. Bill of Rights and Amendments
Setting: Secondary school -adult groups
Procedure:
1. Ask participants to complete the checklist. Have participants refer to the UDHR and to the U.S. Bill of Rights and Amendments to check their answers.
2. Discuss the following questions:
What did you discover that was a surprise to you?
Which rights asserted in the UDHR (or U.S. Bill of Rights/Amendments) do you believe should or should not be universal? Give reasons.
Do you think the Bill of Rights and Amendments cover more issues than the UDHR? Why or why not?
Did the writers of the Bill of Rights and the writers of the UDHR have different conceptions of what "rights" means? If so, how did the understanding of "rights" differ?
Do U.S. citizens have any rights besides those included in the Bill of Rights and Amendments, Constitution, and other U.S. law? Explain.
Should the Bill of Rights and Amendments be more inclusive? Why or why not? What rights, if any, would you add? For example, should individuals in the U.S. be guaranteed the right to food, shelter, education, and health?
How do you explain why some social, economic, and cultural rights found in the UDHR are not guaranteed by the U.S. documents?
In your opinion, what should be the limits and responsibilities of government in guaranteeing their citizens have certain rights? For example, is hunger or homelessness a government’s responsibility?
Source: Adapted from David Shiman, Teaching Human Rights, Center for Teaching International Relations, University of Denver, 1993.
| COMPARING RIGHTS CHECKLIST
Directions: For each right listed below, indicate with a check in the appropriate box whether it is included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the U.S. Bill of Rights and Amendments. Also indicate whether you think this right should be guaranteed by all governments. |
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| RIGHT | Included in Universal Declaration of Human Rights |
Included in U.S. Bill of Rights and Amendments |
Should be Guaranteed by All Governments |
| 1. Free choice of employment 2. Free press 3. Free choice of spouse 4. Adequate shelter 5. Earn as much as one wants 6. Trial by jury 7. Free choice of number of children 8. Freedom from torture and inhumane treatment 9. Freedom of religion 10. Right to own property 11. Right to travel freely 12. Right to an education 13. Right to own arms 14. Adequate food 15. Adequate health care 16. Right to clean air and water |
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