Remembering the Most Vulnerable on Human Rights Day

Today, December 10, the world marks Human Rights Day. We hope our readers will take this opportunity to reflect on the meaning of human rights, and we especially encourage our fellow pro-life activists to think about how they can apply these fundamental principles to their advocacy.

Human rights are for all human beings equally. But not all human beings have an equal need for human rights protections. Human rights documents are designed to shield the weak from the strong, and the unwanted minority from the dominant majority. The implications for abortion are obvious (unless, of course, your identity and/or income depends on not seeing them).

“Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.”
~Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 6

“Every person has the right to have his life respected. This right shall be protected by law and, in general, from the moment of conception. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.”
~American Convention on Human Rights, Article 4.1

“…nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law…”
~United States Constitution, 14th Amendment

“Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.”
~Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 3

 “The child … shall be entitled to grow and develop in health; to this end, special care and protection
shall be provided both to him and to his mother, including adequate pre-natal and post-natal care.”
~Declaration of the Rights of the Child, Principle 4

“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.”
~International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 6.1