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Please forgive me if I'm missing something, but doesn't Article 29, Section 3 make the Universal Declaration of Human Rights kind of a joke? The right to enjoy the arts doesn't really have teeth if the UN can just say it's contrary to its principles.

http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/ Article 29, Section 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations."




I think for context the full article needs to be posted.

   (1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free
       and full development of his personality is possible.
   (2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be
       subject only to such limitations as are determined by law
       solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and
       respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting
       the just requirements of morality, public order and the
       general welfare in a democratic society.
   (3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary
       to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
The purposes and principles are defined in the preamble of the declaration.

   PREAMBLE

   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,


Gotchya, so you're saying that the 'purposes and principles of the United Nations' is being used as a technical term referencing the rest of the document, and doesn't depend on what the organization of the UN wants at any specific moment.


Wauw, can you imagine if the framers had inserted:

'These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United States Government'.

The universal declaration of Human Rights truely is a joke.




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