FREEDOM

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

III

But to transition from passive recipients to active emissaries was very difficult and frequently risky. In addition to the ballot box, other forms of expression lacked influence and were often rigged. But with distance participation the emancipation of citizens vis-à-vis the powers that be will change radically in a very few years.

In that way, in less time than many may foresee, the 21^st century will (finally!) be the century of the people, of the force of reason and never more of the reason of force, of a history worthy of the faculties that distinguish each unique human being, thus ending the history described by Fukoyama, which has so tarnished human dignity from the beginning of time. Thus, the last “Whereas” of the Preamble of the Declaration that inspired this article will have been implemented: “Considering that the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom”… .

This concept of larger freedom, which those who drafted the Declaration so clearly envisioned in the terrible aftermath of World War II, is now within our reach. Let us serenely but courageously loosen our bonds and remove the muzzles from so many silenced voices. The provisions of the Universal Declaration will soon be a reality. I urge everyone to read them, especially politicians and parliamentarians. And even more specifically, those who so often talk of Human Rights when it is obvious that they have never read the Declaration. Or that they haven’t read it very carefully.