Un-tied Nations

Some 63 years ago, Dec 10th 1948, the United Nations was formed- in reading about it, and there are now volumes and volumes written and in every language imaginable on dozens of sanctioned websites, it was initially made up of 10 nations called “Member States” these Member States were there to Unite the World-

Originally these 10 Member States created “217 (III). International Bill of Human rights – A UNIVERSAL DECLATRATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS” and from within the initial Preamble it states (emphasis added):

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

What follows are 30 original ”Articles” they all have to do with Human Rights. There are some additional notes that followed which were separate and later converted (16 Dec 1966) into additional Articles, 1-30 became 1-28,   then what followed became what we have today 29-53 primarily having to do with the UN Charter and how it is to be run under the “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights“- One should at least read the “first 28 or 30″ – there are some wonderful points in there… I’d like to include them all - some, but not all are shortened but for brevity, here’s a couple of my favorite Article snippets from the original 1948 edition: (emphasis added)

Article 1: 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2: 1. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Article 16: 1. Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
Article 21: 2. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
Article 22: 1. Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization…
Article 23: 1. Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
Article 24: 1. Everyone has the right to rest and leisure…

Article 25: 1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26: 1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free…
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
Article 28: 1. Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 30: 1. Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

Like all manmade laws, this was no different, the 1948 version as you can see started off very simply based on ”Human Rights” and its also easy for most to agree that many good things have been included in it- but of course overtime, as mentioned above, it has been rewritten, referring to the 1966 change/adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights being enclosed within the now larger “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights“- not that these are bad things, some of these inclusions are very helpful, but the point being how even the simple Rules-Articles which were initiated by 10 Nations no less, Now 192 Nations, haven’t been accomplished, not even by one!  - Instead the UN has grown to almost incomprehensible list of more rules and more declarations more covenants, even a Peacekeeping Army all without a united accomplishment in sight.

A few of the additions-changes-clarifications were based on further inclusions of people’s Rights and hopefully greater relevance to the current day-

Highlighting a few-

Article 1: 1. All peoples shall have the right of self-determination…
Article 6: 1. Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life. 
(4) Anyone sentenced to death shall have the right to seek pardon or commutation of the sentence. Amnesty, pardon or commutation of the sentence of death may be granted in all cases.
Article 8 3. a. No one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour…
Article 9. 1. Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person.
Article 10. 1. All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.
(3) The penitentiary system shall comprise treatment of prisoners the essential aim of which shall be their reformation and social rehabilitation.
Article 19. 1. Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference.
Article 20. 1. Any propaganda for war shall be prohibited by law.

And more…

But a most astonishing part is what is easily overlooked!- Article 2. 2.

“Where not already provided for by existing legislative or other measures, each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to take the necessary steps, in accordance with its constitutional processes and with the provisions of the present Covenant, to adopt such laws or other measures as may be necessary to give effect to the rights recognized in the present Covenant“

This clearly states – all those who sign or will sign the Covenant undertakes to take the necessary steps to adopt such laws or other measures as may be necessary to give effect to the rights recognized in the present Covenant. In other words they are bound by their own laws to make these Articles work for Humanity!

Here’s where we lose everyone… Implementation – some 63 years later the Un-tied Nations are not in unity with one another, we are just as far from it as ever! We do not  “act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood” in fact we trample these declarations and Covenants we’ve made with one another under our feet.

As one attempts to besiege the copious UN official websites for greater understanding of its puproses and which of the Articles have been completed one finds there are countless pages of accolades for this action or that action, more committees being created, more actions that need doing, more announcements of this Global Holiday-Recognition-Awareness Day and yet none to be found of any of the Articles having been accomplished. Additionally everyone of the 192 Member States have their own version of a Mission Statement / Pledge – see the US version. The UN even has their own United Nations YouTube video channel, which sadly seems to be largely unviewed… because the stories are so often about the ones who need our help the most and can’t afford food let alone a computer to see it from!

The Worldwide United Foundation has the thread that’s missing in order to implement and TIE the Nations into a UNITED Global Family – It has the binding thread which can re-create the imperfect constitution into a more perfect one- [download a printable .pdf of the Worldwide United Declaration of Intent] It has the action items needed to put the Articles of belief into resolve and in the DONE column.

Although the UN has stated a ”UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.”

It is only applicable to add how it will be accomplished-

We, therefore, the Worldwide United Foundation, by strength of our united voice, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world and the consciences of all its people for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the majority of the good People of planet earth, solemnly publish and declare, That every human thus given the respect and honor of being born into our world, and so-named equally by those here now, will be provided and guaranteed free food, shelter, clothing, health care (both physical and mental), and education, from the day of our birth to the day of our mortal death; and that as a united voice of the majority, we have full Power to demand these things from those who govern us, commanding them to establish international law to protect and enforce our will. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence and our united resolve, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor, herein submitting our names to this cause.

By the signing of 192 Nations agreeing with the overall intent of the Articles mentioned above- this should have been accomplished years ago- but without a True Plan on how to do so it should seem obvious by those running the UN that it could not be done. Now however, it’s different, we do have a PLAN, so without further delay, let this inhumanity and lack of acting in brotherhood one to another speedily come to an end- for there is…  NO MORE EXCUSE!

“The UN helps prevent conflict and keep the peace around the globe. Since 1948, UN missions have saved lives, averted wars, and helped bring democracy to dozens of countries. More than 120,000 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers are now deployed in 14 operations around the world, from Haiti to Darfur to East Timor.” (link)

-United States Ambassador Susan E. Rice

So why is it not done yet? Oh yeah, the revised Article 1: 1. All peoples shall have the right of self-determination… even if they do not do unto others as they would have done unto them.

Can’t we PLEASE just start with the basics at least for the least among us? Surely they have the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of him or herself and of his or her family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his or her control.