by Isabel Carter, Ruth Alvarado and Alfonso Wieland
This Guide presents a number of common situations of injustice based on the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It seeks to help people to learn about their human rights and to discuss ways of promoting them in different local situations. Each topic includes Bible references that help us to understand God’s compassion and passion for justice. Human laws are rarely perfect - they continue to be changed and improved. This Guide can help us understand how to challenge unjust laws, to become familiar with our human rights and to promote and defend the rights of others.
To download a pdf version of the book, click here (729K). To view the pages of the book in html format, follow the links below.
Justice is one of God’s characteristics. He cares deeply about the life of every individual. We read of this concern throughout the Bible and of how God sent his son Jesus to bring justice. As Christians we need to share this passion for justice. God... More >> |
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abuse - causing physical, mental, verbal or sexual harm to a person
accusation - a statement that someone has done something wrong
advocacy - seeking with, and on behalf of, poor people to address underlying causes of poverty, bring justice and s... More >> |
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For very many people in our world today, life is very difficult. They may have problems in their family lives, with lack of money, food, work or housing. Poor health may be a concern. They may have lost loved ones. They may be living in fear of abuse... More >> |
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When we look around our world, we see many people who are suffering. People may suffer from different kinds of injustice in their work (or in their lack of work), in their living conditions, in their access to education or healthcare, or for politica... More >> |
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God has a passion for justice. We read about this in many parts of the Bible. He cares deeply about the suffering of people who are poor. God’s commandments, given in the Old Testament, are intended to bring freedom for all people.
Jesus simplified... More >> |
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In the Old Testament in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, God established detailed laws to ensure fair practice and justice concerning property and freedom. He knew that, over time, people would probably exploit each other and the land, but... More >> |
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God’s passion and plan for justice should be shared by us. As Christians we need to respond – not just to human laws, but above all to God’s laws and commands to us. God is moved by compassion towards all those who suffer and we are called to respond... More >> |
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Most situations today where people suffer injustice, and are not allowed to live with dignity, are the result of power being used for the wrong reasons. People who are given power and authority have special demands placed upon them to use their power... More >> |
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The written laws and constitutions of most countries seek to provide the basis of a just society. Over time, and often in response to particular situations, changes are made to the law and constitution, usually to improve them. However, good laws are... More >> |
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Seeking God’s justice to uphold the rights of others, particularly those who are poor and oppressed, requires more than good will. It requires some knowledge of how the law operates, and the human rights that people are entitled to. There are many lo... More >> |
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Advocacy work involves working with, or on behalf of, other people to seek justice from those in power. Whenever possible, it is better to work alongside people, building up their confidence and knowledge to empower them to claim their human rights. ... More >> |
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A person’s home should be a place of safety and security where people can enjoy family life. People should be free to practise and enjoy their own culture, faith, music and food, as long as this does not stop others from doing the same.
Each person... More >> |
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Unless someone is arrested and charged with a crime, they should not be held in detention against their will. People have the right not to suffer punishment, ill-treatment and, in particular, torture while they are awaiting judgement or while in pris... More >> |
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Each person should be able to participate freely in the social and political life of their country. According to the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, men and women have the same rights and responsibilities. We read in the Bible that in God’s... More >> |
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All societies need to protect innocent people from those who seek to do them harm. This usually means a legal system with prison as a punishment. When justice is practised fairly, this system can be an effective way of protecting ordinary people from... More >> |
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Each person has the right to a nationality and to all the social and political rights and responsibilities which that brings within that country. This right of citizenship is usually, but not always, by birth. Each country has its own laws regarding ... More >> |
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Each person, however poor, has a right to live with dignity and to have their basic social and economic needs met. People should have access to water, sanitation, housing and food, however basic. Our governments have a responsibility to ensure that t... More >> |
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God has created all people in his own likeness. In God’s eyes each person is of equal worth and importance. Jesus treated everyone – women, people with disabilities and infectious diseases, people of other races, people practising sex work or people ... More >> |
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The biblical relationship of marriage is intended to be between two people and God. However, they are subject to many influences and pressures – from family, from church, from culture and social expectations. These can be particularly strong if the c... More >> |
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Our health depends on many things. We may be born with disabilities or health problems. We may suffer serious long-term health concerns through illness, poor diet or accidents. We may not care properly for our bodies. During war and conflict women ma... More >> |
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All children should have the opportunity to complete primary education. This should enable children to read, write, count, learn their national language (if their mother tongue is different) and gain some understanding of the wider world. Children ma... More >> |
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The environment belongs to God but is shared with each living person. We have joint stewardship to care for the environment. However, certain companies and countries regard the environment as theirs and seek to make short-term gains from it, rather t... More >> |
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The expectation that people will need to work in order to live, runs through the Bible. In 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, Paul makes the value of work very clear. People may work to grow or process crops, to look after family members or they may work for mo... More >> |
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Each person has the right to have belongings and property and to live somewhere where they can take care of themselves.
People moving into a new area often find homes on the edges of cities where they may be at risk of forced removal by outsiders w... More >> |
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The Bible highlights God’s particular interest in children. We have a responsibility to care and protect children so that they can use the gifts God has given them to their full potential.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), passed by ... More >> |
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The laws of each country are generally made with great care and for the wellbeing of their citizens. As responsible citizens, it is really important that we obey these laws for the good of the country.
However, sometimes laws exist that go against ... More >> |
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When people become involved in seeking justice for others, they often need the help, support and guidance of local non-governmental organisations which represent local concerns. As people gain confidence in their ability to advocate for changes for t... More >> |
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God sent his son Jesus to establish justice in the world. Churches need to share Jesus’ concern for the poor and the oppressed. The Bible makes it clear that as Christians we should share God’s passion for justice. This does not just mean that we sho... More >> |
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UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
On December 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Here is a simplified summary.
Article 1 All human beings are born free and... More >> |
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Advocacy Toolkit: Book 1 Understanding advocacy, Book 2 Practical action in advocacy (2002) by Graham Gordon. Published by Tearfund.
What if you got involved? Taking a stand against social injustice (2003) by Graham Gordon, Paternoster Press.
Goo... More >> |
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