Rights must be balanced with responsibilities
National Times, 10 December 2010

The preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights boldly proclaims that the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace is the “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family.”

Sixty-two years ago today, after the horrors and devastation of World War II, the leaders of the world came together to unite humanity as never before, under a common charter of rights. On December 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

An overlooked feature of the declaration is that it ends with duties and obligations upon an individual to their community. Sadly, we have become obsessed with rights, without any corresponding sense of duty, obligation or responsibility. I truly believe that with rights come responsibilities. There needs to be a balance, for our privileges can be no greater than our obligations.