Human Rights based on Forms of Government

State Department Retired Officer Edward Browne

Human rights are basically controlled and restricted by those in power of nations. Governments devise ways how their ordinary citizens lead and direct their lives. Since the beginning of human civilizations, kings, petty dictators, emperors and all sorts of corrupt politicians and presidents have stifled the dreams of people to live and act independently.

Many nations today are still controlled by one-man rulers, dictators and religious zealots who deny basic rights to their citizens in order to keep their power. North Korea, Myanmar, Iran, China, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia and Somalia are examples of countries with poor records in denying basic rights to their own people, such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech and the freedom to pursue their own happiness.

Democratic institutions as practiced by nations in North America and Europe provide essential basic rights that other countries should adopt. Winston Churchill said something like this long time ago: "Many forms of government have been tried and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect......that democracy is the worst form of government but it's the best we have."

There is no such thing as complete freedom, but democratic principles come the closest. People around the world yearn for freedom. The United Nations and democratic nations must continue to spread freedom and apply pressure to other countries to provide the very basic rights to their citizens. Basic human rights are the very foundation to a more stable communities of nations. To deny these rights is just plain wrong as it restricts innovation, ideas, personal achievement and economic progress.