Online Classes and Declarations (eng)

Honestly, I tried to make the title as interesting as possible, but if you already opened this post, then I guess it will do just fine hahaha. If you are not interested, please go to the last paragraph! Thanks.

Okay, so little backstory, I joined a free online class on international human rights. This is one of the sessions of my class that involves video-watching and discussions. Unfortunately, I haven't quite understood how to discuss with other people in the class, so I only read a few of their answers to see if anyone is one opinion with me. Okay, long story short, the video is a brief interview of Mary Ann Glendon, she talks about how the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) came to be and the meaning and role it plays in our world today. And these are the questions (and my answers) for the discussion (which I had by myself) :

1. Are universal human rights infringing on specific national, religious, or cultural traditions? Or are they instead a condition for these traditions to be able to thrive, to express themselves, and to evolve?

As it has been said in the video, though the idea and implementation came from the United States, to be specific chairman Eleanor Roosevelt and her team, I believe the UDHR does not necessarily infringe on specific national, religious, or cultural traditions. We are to understand that this is a document to determine what is right and what is wrong for all states worldwide, a system, a number of rights with a goal to be implemented across the world to achieve world peace. With all the different cultures, religions, and traditions around the world, it is challenging to find a middle solution for every right to be suitable for all as well as people hoped, maybe even impossible. With every state’s different understandings of cultures, religions, and traditions, how adjustable one’s culture is to adapt to a system, we can’t be too sure that it is an easy journey. Also, there is proof, that there are still a few states that haven’t contributed that much on signing and ratifying the UDHR and I believe every state has its reasons. That is why I prefer to call this document a bold step to make an effort to educate and inspire people worldwide to implement these rights into their own lives. The UDHR is without question as multicultural as possible, but it is not perfect. Nevertheless, I believe what is written inside the document is impartial, rational, and worth to be followed by the willing states, alongside each of their own regulations and jurisdictions. It is our duty to spread out the word and educate those who aren’t familiar with these international fundamental values.

2. In your region of the world, are human rights seen as an exogenous/foreign product, or are they seen as reflecting shared concerns related to the dignity of human beings?

I am from Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, and as far as my understanding, my country fully supports human rights and world peace. Indonesia has signed 8 out of 9 core instruments of the UDHR and other conventions. The UDHR has been reflected in our 1945 Constitution following other regulations. According to history, we have fought for our people’s rights from the 17th to the 19th century. With such history and as a member of the United Nations, Indonesia is fully aboard, though it has not been educated enough to the smaller areas of the country concerning the understanding of human rights, so it hasn't been widely implemented yet by some Indonesians, there are still some areas that struggle for such education, therefore it is yet unbalanced. Nevertheless, seeing a lot of positive outcomes and constructive decisions based on the UDHR, I believe this document is seen as reflecting shared concerns related to the dignity of human beings, not as a foreign product.

End :

I understand that this is far from perfect, I am trying my best for it to be presentable. If you want to join in on the discussion in the comments and maybe help improve my answer, it would be so nice and helpful. But let's put this aside for a second and talk about the class. So, I found this online class/website from my sister. At first, she thought it would be nice for me to learn while I am not doing anything during quarantine, so I thought why not. The website not only teaches the subject of law but other subjects as well, I picked this on the basis of going to law school and trying not to look as stupid. There are a lot of cool subjects and universities to check out like public speaking, business, etc. Okay, I know I sound like I am promoting this I swear I am not, so I am just going to share the link :

https://www.edx.org

-r.k