Universal Declaration of Human Rights

by Lady Lee 8 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • Lady Lee
    Lady Lee

    Well as so many of know the WTS prides itself on fighting for human rights. And indeed they have. They have courageously fought and many have gone to jail for their human rights. But how do they stack up when it comes providing rights to their own? Does the aberage JW have the same rights that the other people have? Below is a copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. My comments are in red. (Now hope the formatting doesn't get messed up

    Universal Declaration of Human Rights

    Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly

    resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948

    From http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

    Article 1.

    All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

    In the case of JWs the only reason ans conscience allowed are the ones dictated by the WTS. And it is the WTS with the aid of the elders determine who shall be treated in the "spirit of brothhood."

    Article 2.

    Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

    According to the WTS religion is definitely a cause for discrimination. You cannot enter a building from any other religion. You can never participate in any other religios ceremonies. You cannot leave the JWs and become something else.

    Article 3.

    Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

    According to WTS doctrine you have no liberty/freedom and there is no security. At any moment you could be reported to the elders for one of a long list of sins.

    Article 4.

    No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

    The WTS benefits from the years of full-time servitude of its members. Members are always called on to do more, more, more. And when the person is no longer able to continue their servitude they are forgotten and left to live in many cases in poverty.

    Article 5.

    No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

    Members who have left the JWs or have been "reproved" are subjected to a wide range of behaviors from active members from "marking" a person as a danger to outright shunning. Families are often torn apart when a person is disfellowshipped.

    Article 6.

    Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

    The legal laws of any country are voided and replaced with WT law that allows active JWs to treat those who have left ot made some transgression to be treated as if they did not exist.

    Article 7.

    All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

    Victims of sexual abuse and victims of spousal abuse within the WTS have for decades been deprived of the right to go to the legal authorities. Those who have reported the abuse to the local congregations have most often been told that if they go to the authorities they will be disciplined for make trouble within the congregation.

    Article 8.

    Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

    By prohibing victims of abuse from going to the legal authorities they havew denied this right

    Article 9.

    No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

    In the act of disfellowshipping one is exiled from family, friends, and faith

    Article 10.

    Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

    WTS elders hold private tribunals. Witnesses are not allowed, No recording devices are allowed and no note-taking. Tribunals are secet and the "defendant" is tried and convicted without recourse.

    Article 11.

    1. Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.

      2. WTS tribunals are never public and the defendant is viewed as guilty and must convince the tribunal of the error or proof sincere repentance.

    2. No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

      3. WTS has their own law. Sentences are meted out often favoring those in good standing and siding against those that are not in good standing

      Article 12.

      No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

      JWs who have broken the rules are often the victims of character assaination. Their repuations are destroyed by lies and innuendo.

      Article 13.

      1. Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.

        2. N/A

      2. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

        3. N/A

        Article 14.

        (1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.

        While the WTS claims that it is persecuted for its religious differences (and this is true but then so are the people of other religions) they in turn persecute those who have left their organization.

        (2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

        N/A

        Article 15.

        (1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.

        According to the WTS the only "nationality a JW has is as a member of "God's Theocracy" which they have decided is the WTS.

        (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

        Leaving the WTS and therefore leaving that "nationality" results in the loss of rights within the organization. One is not allowed to leave with dignity.

        Article 16.

        1. Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.

          2. The WTS has some different rules about marriage. Men are seen as superior to wome. The women are not granted the same rights as the men. Women must at all times be in subjection to their husbands and even to baptized male children in matters of spirituality.

        2. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

          3. N/A

          3. The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

          N/A

          Article 17. N/A

          1. Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.

            2. Those JWs who buy property are oftn looked down on as weak and not "anxious" for the end of this system of things

            2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

            N/A

            Article 18.

            Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

            DEFINITELY

            not allowed amongst JWs. The decision to join another religion or even to participate in another religion’s services results in a tribunal and disfellowshipping.

            Article 19.

            Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

            Personal opinion and expression of that opinion is not permitted if it does not conform to present WT teachings. Literature, education, and the media that contains any information not favorable to the present WT dogma is forbidden. Members who receive such information must not relate it to other members and can be disciplined.

            Article 20.

            1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

              2. If a person has been disciplined and Dfed they no longer have the right to associate with other JWs.

            2. No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

              3. To maintain relationships with family and friends within the WT organization members are constantly reminded to act at all times in accordance with WTS rules (referred to as "principles") Fear of expulsion from the group maintains conformity and the right to associate with those family and friends.

              Article 21.

              1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

                2. JWs are told the only government they have is the government established by the WTS and the leaders (the government of God)

              2. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.

                3. N/A

              3. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

                4. The WTS has its own government. Leaders (elders, ministerial servants, etc.) are apponted at the discretion of those in authority. The mebership has no voice in the leadership or direction.

                Article 22.

                Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

                N/A

                Article 23.

                1. Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.

                  2. JWs are discipled for various types of employment. They are discouraged from higher forms of education and encouraged to put first emphasis on the distribution of the WTS literature. Some types of work are forbidden. (armed forces, any type of religious or political employment)

                2. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.

                  3. JWs who go to work at the various headquarters around the world receive income that pays basic needs. Those who have been in religious service to the WTS for decades receive no pention or health benefits once they are no longer able to work for the WTS.

                3. Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.

                  4. Only those in full-time service receive a small amount of money. They are expected to work at emplyment to satisfy their basic needs. All others receive no monetary remuneration for their services.

                4. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

                  5. JWs are discouraged from membership in any union

                  Article 24.

                  Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

                  JWs are expected to use whatever "vacation" time they receive from the employment to partcipate in full-time serivce to the WTS.

                  Article 25.

                  1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

                    2. The WTS provides none of the essentials to assist people in their daily living.

                  2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

                    3. There is no special consideration for children. They are expected to sit for long hours in silence through the meetings. Punishment is usual for those children who find it difficult to sit still for these long periods of time. Children are taught to engage in the selling of WTS literature as soon as they are able.

                    Article 26.

                    1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

                      2. The WTS discouraged higher education. Members are encouraged to work at menial jobs so they can participate in the selling of WTS literatire. There is no salary for this employment.

                    2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

                      3. The "education" that JWs get discourages the above. Those who do not conform to the teachings of the WTS are doomed to death. They are considered to be poor association and therefore avoided as much as possible.

                    3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

                      4. Sadly the type of "education" that JW parents choose for their children limits their potential

                      Article 27.

                      1. Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

                        2. The only cultural life that JWs are encouraged to participate in is the WTS designed meetings. Certain medical advances have at times been forbidden and many people have died due to the WTS sanctions against blood.

                      2. Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

                        3. Those who work to write the literature published by the WTS receive no benefit. They remain anonymous so therefore gat no recognition for their work.

                        Article 28.

                        Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

                        N/A

                        Article 29.

                        1. Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.

                          2. The WTS seeks to limit the development of an individual’s personality and encourages only activities that benefit the organization.

                        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. The WTS practices "theocratic was strategy" When the laws of the state interfere with the laws of the WTS then the law of the WTS will supercede the law of the state.

                        3. These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

                          4. See above

                          Article 30.

                          Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

                          Again the WTS laws will supercede any law of the state

                      3. jgnat
                        jgnat

                        Interesting take. I am convinced that the WTBTS became a registered NGO to further their interests in other lands. There are documents on the UN website that list religious persecutions that the JW's suffered. Interestingly, most of these documents date from when they were part of the JW.

                        But as we know, "human rights" in the "Organization" only run one way, to further their own interests. I'd add the following.

                        Article 13.

                        1. Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.

                          But JW's are strongly encouraged to attend the congregation in their own district, and also encouraged to attend a certain bible study as directed by the elders.

                        2. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

                          3. But a JW will have his history follow him to the new hall. In writing.

                        3. Lady Lee
                          Lady Lee

                          Thanks JG I was trying to think if there were any applications in a few of them.

                          Before I started this I thought they might hit only a few. I was shocked at how many were applicable

                        4. jstalin
                          jstalin

                          Not to get too political, but Article 29 of said declaration is basically the way that the dictators get around it. If someone is doing something against the "public order," well, then it's ok to override those rights. Lists of "rights" such as this delcaration go far beyond real rights (something inherent in being a human being) to giving people "rights" to other people's property - ie., socialism.

                          For a far better declaration of rights, see both the US Declaration of Independence and the preamble to the Bill of Rights.

                        5. Lady Lee
                          Lady Lee

                          I was tempted to use the Canadian or the American rights but since the WTS is international I opted for this one from the UN

                          I'm still surprised they abuse so many of them

                        6. Scully
                          Scully
                          Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

                          N/A

                          3. The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

                          N/A

                          Marriage outside the faith is strongly discouraged, and those who choose to marry outside the religion are subject to "marking", investigated for "sexual misconduct", and often find that their wedding ceremonies are boycotted by other JWs they invite. The Elders are instructed to deny the use of the Kingdom Hall for such a marriage between a member and a non-member, and they are not to officiate at such ceremonies. Marriage is often entered into by JWs who have not had sufficient opportunity to get to know their prospective spouse, they are forbidden to have any sexual contact prior to marriage, they cannot cohabitate prior to marriage, and they cannot associate alone as a couple without the presence of a chaperone until after the wedding.

                          In the case of marriages being regarded as sacred and entitled to protection: what happens when one partner becomes a JW and the other does not wish to convert to the JWs? Or when one spouse in a dual JW marriage decides that they no longer wish to be JW? The JW partner is systematically alienated from their spouse, gradually giving more and more importance to the Congregation, and less to the family. Children will be taught to regard the Unbelieving Mate with a measure of disdain, and some will be pressured by the congregation to divorce the Unbelieving Mate on the grounds of Absolute Spiritual Endangerment.

                        7. jstalin
                          jstalin

                          Rights aren't dependent on man-made documents. Since we are human, we have rights simply for being alive - life, liberty, property. Those rights don't depend on any government.

                          Check out the very short book "The Law" by Frederic Bastiat. One of the best explanations of natural rights I've ever read.

                        8. rebel8
                          rebel8

                          Don't pelt me with rotten fruit, but the WTS is not preventing people from exercising most of those rights, they are just putting social penalties into place for doing so. I'm not in favor of their actions; I just don't see how they would rise to violations of this declaration.

                          On that same web site, there is a method to complain when someone is causing you to be shunned. I can't remember exactly how it's worded. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone who was DFd ever filed a complaint just for the hell of it, to see if the UN would investigate.

                        9. Lady Lee
                          Lady Lee

                          Rebel

                          I agree that the WTS has its ways of getting out of accepting responsibility. After all they have made everything a conscience issue. But what they say and what they do are two different things.

                          If you teach a person that their very life depends on a certain code of behavior and do not provide the possibility of options then in effect the person has no options. It's "Do or Die".

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