If the acceptance and practice of the universally declared human rights charter is a subjective issue to ethics, politics and religion, then, its practices eventually becomes an individual decision. Individuals will then have to decide whether to practice or not, even when the majority of their fellow human beings disagree with them. It is the collective decisions of individuals who want to practice the universally declared human rights that will assure of its continual promotion among humanity.

1. Practices of Universally Declared Human Rights Charter Is Eventually an Individual
Decision
A casual survey of the human rights issues that are highlighted in the website of the
Human Rights Watch organization (http://www.hrw.org/), involves human rights violations
in many countries, both in the east and west. Though, we have a universally declared human
rights charter, its actual practice is eventually an individual decision.
Human Rights: Where to Start?
One good place to start to know about human rights is, “The Universal Declaration of
Human Rights” (http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml). I do not want to
repeat the declarations in the charter as one can read it themselves. The declaration
enshrines all the universal values and rights of all persons in this world. It stands for
universal human rights categorically. But why many declarations in the universally declared
human rights charter are not practiced in many countries?
Human Rights: A Subjective Issue for Ethics, Politics and Religion?
There many definitions, roles and functions of ethics, politics and religion. One
function of ethics as a moral philosophy is for appraising human actions as to whether they
are right or wrong. In order to do so, ethics must understand human rights as universally
declared.
For an example, in certain social and cultural practices, the female is considered the
property of the male members (father, brother) of a family until she gets married which
then makes her the property of her husband. For ethics in that particular social and cultural
environment, to consider the action of a person who treats a female member of his family
as his property, whether right or wrong, is dependent on whether ethics in the environment
accepts the declared human rights charter that, “all human beings are born free and equal
in dignity and rights.” So no one is another’s property. If ethics in that social and cultural
environment does not accept the declared human rights charter, then, females will be
treated as properties of males.
Now, if the ethics as practiced by a social and cultural community treats females as
the properties of males. Then, it is dependent whether the politicians and governments of a
community and nation are going to accept the declared universal declaration in the charter
that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Realistically speaking,
decision making by politicians are usually dependent on whether their decisions will
positively or negatively affect their political powers, positions and future. In other words for
politicians generally, ethics and human rights are secondary questions in comparison to the
question of the continuity of their political powers, position and future. So, politics and
politicians’ general decision to accept or reject specific human rights declarations in the
charter, is always a politically subjective decision making process. Specific human rights

2. declarations in the charter usually have a 50/50 chance in politics to be practiced even by
those who have signed the charter.
Religion is supposed to provide the ultimate guidelines for ethical and moral actions
for human beings. All religions in its core teachings enshrine ethical and moral standards.
But again, it is not any specific religion, but rather the interpretations of the leaders and
followers of a religion that will eventually decide how ethics, morality and human rights are
going to be practiced in reality. Thus, the acceptance and practice of the universally
declared human rights charter in religion will be dependent on whether religious leaders
and followers accept the declarations in the charter as being taught and is a part of their
religions. If they do accept, then, females will not be considered as a property of males. If
they do not accept, then, females will be considered a property of males. Also, it is
dependent on whether religious leaders and followers will prioritize the universally declared
human rights charter over the social and culturally accepted ethical and moral standards. In
summary, acceptance and practice of the universally declared human rights charter is
dependent on the subjective interpretations, perceptions and practices of ethics, politics
and religion in their native environments (individual countries).
Human Rights: An Individual Decision
If the acceptance and practice of the universally declared human rights charter is a
subjective issue to ethics, politics and religion, then, its practices eventually becomes an
individual decision. Individuals will then have to decide whether to practice or not, even
when the majority of their fellow human beings disagree with them. It is the collective
decisions of individuals who want to practice the universally declared human rights that will
assure of its continual promotion among humanity.
So, don’t wait for your religious and political leaders to set an example in practicing
the universally declared human rights charter. It starts with you and I. The practice of the
universally declared human rights charter is eventually an individual decision.