The Relation Between Democracy and Human Rights

                  This post is a summary of the article with the title above publishe at  https://www.sociostudies.org/almanac/articles/the_relation_between_democracy_and_human_rights/

                Human rights protect the essencial areas of a human existence, which are necessary for survival and for life as a human being. Human rights are those rights that belong to everyone as a member of the human race. In their legal dimension, human rights are part of a legal system and individuals living in this legal system are entitled to these rights. The legal dimension of human rights is a positive achievement of human history. The process of strengthening international law and of a global institutionalization of the implementation and protection of human rights is necessary. From a procedural point of view, the human rights serve as a basis for a political opinion-building and decision-making process allowing every human being political participation. Human rights protect democratic processes.  If one looks closer at this aspect of the historical dimension of human rights, one can see that usually experiences of injustices trigger a common feeling that humanity should stop these injustices, get rid of them and avoid them in the future. The moral dimension of human rights creates an awareness of the constant challenge of a legal and political reality which neither realizes nor respects human rights completely. This awareness includes the corresponding moral obligation and responsibility of everyone to enhance the implementation of the human rights of every individual in his or her sphere of influence. The universality of human rights shows the significance of the moral dimension of human rights. By definition, human rights are rights that apply to all human beings and are therefore universal. The universality of human rights is constantly challenged by particular interests, for example, by states which claim the priority of their sovereignty or by the private sector which claims self-regulating approaches. These challenges are part of the political and legal dimension of human rights and as a consequence of the moral dimension of human rights as well. Discussing the relation between democracy and human rights it is of significance to emphasize firstly that democracy is based on the human right to participate in the political decision process (Article 21 of the UDHR). Human rights and democracy go hand in hand as democracy is the political system which embodies the autonomy of the individual. The perception of violations of human rights in one's own living context leads to recognition of one's own responsibility for the cause of human rights and one's own self-understanding as a global citizen with his responsibility for the realization of human rights. Human rights are the frame of reference for a democracy. Different forms to guarantee the respect within a democratic system are known, for example, the constitution, the supreme court, etc. Human rights education address the naive assumption that every human being is born democratic and with competencies to participate in a democratic decision-making process. Educating citizens in their human rights creates an informed society which in turn strengthens democracy. Human rights education is essential for the prevention of human rights abuses, the promotion of non-discrimination, equality and sustainable development, and the enhancement of people's participation in democratic processes. Human rights education contributes to the functioning of democracy. The fundamental role of human rights education is to empower citizens to defend their own rights and those of others. This empowerment constitutes an important investment for the future, aimed at achieving a just society in which all human rights of all persons are valued and respected. The idea of 'empowerment' means the capability to determine one's own present and future with awareness of one's own rights and to participate actively in the political process. To conclude emphasizing that democracy and human rights go hand in hand. This means that every human being has a right to democracy. Can human rights also be realized in a political and legal system which is not democratic? No, human rights can not be fully implemented if the political and legal system is not democratic as every human being's participation in decision-making processes is protected by human rights. The complex relationship between democracy and human rights shows the need for education in democracy which overcomes the reductionist understanding of democracy to recognize only the will of the majority. Human rights education is a 'must have' and not a 'nice to have' in today's pluralistic society where human rights enable us to live in peaceful coexistence with respect for the human dignity of each other and with tolerance across the boundaries of traditions, religions, world views and opinions, where human rights empower the individual to participate in a democratic decision-making process.