All of us have the innate desire to help those in need, it
is part of what makes us human. No other species cares for its sick, elderly
and disabled members like we do.
We are born into this world and as such have a fundamental
right to be here. Living in this world is not always easy and not everyone is
equipped to meet the challenges we create by establishing societal laws,
customs and expectations. As a society we impose expectations and as a society
we are responsible for success and failure. We take pride in communal
accomplishments and triumphs, and we have to be open to accept responsibility
for defeat as well.
Living is complicated and today many are not up to the
challenge of understanding and integrating all the fine nuances of what is necessary
to oblige society. One small, innocent mistake can have immense life altering
consequences. There are too many laws, regulations, stipulations and traditions
for a layman to understand. One needs a permit for this, a license for that,
authorization from there and permission from here. Is it alright to walk on the
left side of the street on Thursday at 5pm when the sun is not shining but
there are no clouds and I am wearing green shoes?
Society must provide possibilities for all people, the odds
are not always equal, and as long as society fails just one person, work needs
to be done to improve conditions. Tolerance, compassion, love and understanding
are virtues indigenous to the human race. We are able to provide for each and
every human being.
In 1948 the United States signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states under 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) 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.”
Housing as a human right has been reaffirmed in Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, which the United States also signed in 1966 but has not yet ratified the convention:
“The right to adequate housing, also referred to as the right to housing, is "the right to live somewhere in security, peace and dignity." It requires "adequate privacy, adequate space, adequate security, adequate lighting and ventilation, adequate basic infrastructure and adequate location with regard to work and basic facilities – all at a reasonable cost." Parties must ensure security of tenure and that access is free of discrimination, and progressively work to eliminate homelessness. Forced evictions, defined as "the permanent or temporary removal against their will of individuals, families and/or communities from the homes and/or land which they occupy, without the provision of, and access to, appropriate forms of legal or other protection", are a prima facie violation of the Covenant.”
In 1948 the United States signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states under 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) 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.”
Housing as a human right has been reaffirmed in Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, which the United States also signed in 1966 but has not yet ratified the convention:
“The right to adequate housing, also referred to as the right to housing, is "the right to live somewhere in security, peace and dignity." It requires "adequate privacy, adequate space, adequate security, adequate lighting and ventilation, adequate basic infrastructure and adequate location with regard to work and basic facilities – all at a reasonable cost." Parties must ensure security of tenure and that access is free of discrimination, and progressively work to eliminate homelessness. Forced evictions, defined as "the permanent or temporary removal against their will of individuals, families and/or communities from the homes and/or land which they occupy, without the provision of, and access to, appropriate forms of legal or other protection", are a prima facie violation of the Covenant.”
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