Asia and the Drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

"This is the first book that explicitly outlines Asian contributions to the elaboration of universal human rights values that were proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. Evidence of Asia's contribution from the historical records of the Commission on Human Rights (1946 to 1948) profoundly refutes any remnants of the relativist 'Asian values' discourse. Asians shaped the 'new humanism' of the UDHR and the universal values that they also brought to bear on the drafting of this document. The book brings this evidence into focus in order to enter them into contemporary human rights discourse in Asia. The book coincides with the 70th anniversary (2018) of the UDHR and contributes to the ongoing global dialogue between states and societies in the development of human rights norms. At this time, the elucidation of the Asian contribution in this work is part of this dialogue"--Back cover Foreword 6 The Asian Quest 8 Preface: The Asian Case for a New Humanism 10 Contents 13 Abbreviations 15 List of Tables 16 Chapter 1: Introduction 17 Human Rights in the Asian Century 20 The Asian Versus Universal Rights Debate 24 Asian Values Are Universal Values 28 References 35 Chapter 2: Crafting Universal Values: The UDHR Model, Context, and Process 38 The UDHR Model and International Human Rights Law 38 The Context 40 The Drafting Process and Mechanism 43 Asian Input in Early Drafting Stages 44 References 52 Chapter 3: Asian Drafters 54 Introduction 54 Peng Chun Chang (China) 57 Charles Malik (Lebanon) 59 Hansa Mehta (India) 64 Mrs. Laxshmi Menon (India) 66 Carlos Romulo (Philippines) 67 Mr. Ghassan Ghani (Iran) 68 Abdul Rahman Kayali (Syria) 69 Muhammad Zafrulla Khan (Pakistan) 70 Mr. Kemal Kural (Turkey) 72 Jamil Baroody (Saudi Arabia) 73 Mr. Mohamed Raafat (Egypt) 74 Conclusion 75 References 77 Chapter 4: Asian Visions at the Time of Drafting 80 Introduction 80 The Chinese Vision 81 The Chinese Draft Declaration 83 The Indian Vision 84 The Lebanese Vision 85 The Vietnamese Vision 87 The Indonesian Vision (Pancasila) 88 Conclusion 89 References 90 Chapter 5: Asian Foundations 92 Introduction 92 Constitutionalism and Rights in Post-war Asia 92 Asian Constitutional Sources Used in Drafting the Universal Declaration 94 Right to Existence 95 Self-Determination and Justice 95 Equality 95 Protection of Motherhood and of Children 96 Prohibition of Slavery 97 Freedom 97 Right to Liberty 100 Democratic Rights 101 Accountability 102 Prohibition of Torture 102 The Rule of Law 102 Right to Nationality 104 Minority Rights 105 Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest or Detention 106 Freedom of Thought, Conscience, Religion, or Belief 106 Freedom of Opinion and of Expression 108 Freedom of Assembly 109 Freedom of Association 109 Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights 110 Right to Health 114 The Right to Education 114 Right to Work 116 No Imprisonment for Debt and Prohibition of Forced Labour 117 States of Emergency 118 Freedom of Abode and of Travel 119 Freedom of Domicile 119 Freedom from Exile 119 Duties 119 Right to Petition 120 Brief Comments on the Evidence 121 Conclusion 122 References 123 Chapter 6: The Principle of Humanity 125 Introduction 125 Vision of the Drafters 126 The Human Rights Ethic of Asian Drafters 128 Legal and Philosophical Significance of Articles 1 and 2 129 Concept of “Human Being” 132 Concept of “Being Free” 133 Concept of Equality 134 Concept of Dignity 135 Concept of a Right 135 Concept of Reason 136 Concept of Conscience 136 Concept of Brotherhood 137 Normative and Policy Implementation 137 Conclusion 140 References 142 Chapter 7: Dignity, Equality, and Equitable Life Chances 144 Introduction 144 Asians and the Concept of Dignity 145 Elements of a Life of Dignity: Development, Democracy, and the Rule of Law 149 Right to Development 153 Democracy 162 Rule of Law 165 Equality and Non-discrimination 167 Ensuring a Life of Dignity 170 Conclusion 174 References 179 Chapter 8: Implementation 182 Introduction 182 The Problem of Implementation 182 The Asian Quest for Implementation Machinery at the Time of the Drafting of the Universal Declaration 183 The Implementation Machinery 186 Universal Mechanisms 186 Regional Mechanisms 187 National Mechanisms 188 Strategies for a Life of Dignity in Asia 190 Legal Innovation 190 Preventable Poverty 191 Legal Empowerment of the Poor 192 Public Interest Litigation 196 Achieving a Life of Dignity: The Indian Example 198 Championing RTD at the National Level 198 India’s Planning Commission 199 Conclusion 202 References 203 Chapter 9: The Future of the UDHR: Building on the Past and the Present 205 Introduction 205 Growing Adherence to the UDHR: Bandung, Tehran, and Vienna 205 Bandung 1955 206 Tehran 1968 208 Vienna 1993 209 Increasing “Constitutionalisation” of International Human Rights Standards in Asia 211 National Incorporation 211 Incorporation by the Courts 218 National Human Rights Institutions 219 Regional Constitutionalisation 219 Human Rights Education in Asia 220 The State of Human Rights Education in Asia 223 Conclusion 228 References 230 Chapter 10: Conclusion 233 References 242 References 244 Index 260 This is the first book that explicitly outlines Asian contributions to the elaboration of universal human rights values that were proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. Evidence of Asia's contribution from the historical records of the Commission on Human Rights (1946 and 1948) profoundly refutes any remnants of the relativist 'Asian values' discourse. Asians shaped the 'new humanism' of the UDHR and the universal values that they also brought to bear on the drafting of this document. The book brings this evidence into focus in order to enter them into contemporary human rights discourse in Asia. The book coincides with the 70th anniversary (2018) of the UDHR and contributes to the ongoing global dialogue between states and societies in the development of human rights norms. At this time, the elucidation of the Asian contribution in this work is part of this dialogue. Robin Ramcharan is Professor of International Relations at Webster University Thailand. He is Executive Director of the Asia Centre, a neutral and independent think-tank in Bangkok that conducts evidence-based research on human rights in Asia. Previously, he was Professor of International Relations and Law at Alliance University, Bangalore. He has worked in international development cooperation with the Academy of the World Intellectual Property Organization. Bertrand Ramcharan served as High Commissioner for Human Rights until July 2004, following the death of Sergio Vieira de Mello in August 2013. Over his three decades with the UN, he served, inter alia, as Special Assistant to the Director of the Centre for Human Rights. He held many senior positions including Chief Speechwriter of the UN Secretary-General, Director of the Office of the Special Representative for the Secretary-General in UNPROFOR, Director of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, political adviser to the peace negotiators in the Yugoslav conflict, and Director in the United Nations Political Department, focusing on conflicts in Africa.-- Provided by publisher Front Matter ....Pages i-xix Introduction (Robin Ramcharan, Bertrand Ramcharan)....Pages 1-21 Crafting Universal Values: The UDHR Model, Context, and Process (Robin Ramcharan, Bertrand Ramcharan)....Pages 23-38 Asian Drafters (Robin Ramcharan, Bertrand Ramcharan)....Pages 39-64 Asian Visions at the Time of Drafting (Robin Ramcharan, Bertrand Ramcharan)....Pages 65-76 Asian Foundations (Robin Ramcharan, Bertrand Ramcharan)....Pages 77-109 The Principle of Humanity (Robin Ramcharan, Bertrand Ramcharan)....Pages 111-129 Dignity, Equality, and Equitable Life Chances (Robin Ramcharan, Bertrand Ramcharan)....Pages 131-168 Implementation (Robin Ramcharan, Bertrand Ramcharan)....Pages 169-191 The Future of the UDHR: Building on the Past and the Present (Robin Ramcharan, Bertrand Ramcharan)....Pages 193-220 Conclusion (Robin Ramcharan, Bertrand Ramcharan)....Pages 221-231 Back Matter ....Pages 233-255