One Body: Human Rights, A Global Struggle
Issue 19-20
Publisher: United Church of Canada, Toronto, Canada
Year Published: 1978
Resource Type: Serial Publication (Periodical)
Cx Number: CX855
This is a special, double-sized "Issue" which examines a broad spectrum of violations of human rights during the past couple of years (U.S.A., Europe, Asia, Latin America, U.S.S.R.). These concerns are linked to a reflection on root causes of the violations and on attempts by Canadian organizations to respond (Amnesty International, Operation Liberty, Canadian Labour Congress). As usual, extensive suggestions for group study/actions are included.
Abstract:
This is a special, double-sized "Issue" which examines a broad spectrum of violations of human rights during the past couple of years (U.S.A., Europe, Asia, Latin America, U.S.S.R.). These concerns are linked to a reflection on root causes of the violations and on attempts by Canadian organizations to respond (Amnesty International, Operation Liberty, Canadian Labour Congress). As usual, extensive suggestions for group study/actions are included.
"Issue" explores what people mean by human rights. (In Chinese it translates as "people power".) Our Western society has tended to emphasize individual rights. In many communist countries it is the right of the society as a whole which has primacy so that the achievement of a socialist order and giving power to the people have priority. Third-world countries often emphasize the cultural and religious role of the individual in society and accuse developed nations of hypocrisy when they posture for human rights after centuries of colonial oppression.
Canadians need to examine their stand on human rights in the light of that of their southern neighbour, "Issue" insists, and not without examining economic implications. Several specific measures are suggested such as passage of a Foreign Aid Prohibition Act which would deny aid to blatant violators of human rights and review the operation of several crown corporations such as the Export Development Corporation.
"Issue" concludes by noting that more and more people "find, in the church's engagement in the struggle for human rights around the world, new reasons for their faith, new experiences of the meaning of grace and redemption and a new sense of what the Gospel calls them to among their fellow human beings."
Periodical profile published 1978
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