Theosophy in
Ancient & Modern
History of the Theosophical
Society in
Welsh Theosophy presents
A Charter of Human Rights 1936
Welsh
Theosophists did a great deal to help the victims of Nazi oppression in the
1930s with Peter Freeman very active in this area. The rise of totalitarian
regimes was of great concern and this piece reporting on The T.S. in
A
Charter of Human Rights
At the European Congress of the Theosophical Society all National
Societies were invited to form a local Committee to consider National and World
Problems and to make recommendations accordingly. A small committee was
appointed by the National Council with Miss Mary Jones as secretary. As a
result “A Charter of Human Rights” has been drawn up and is being submitted to
the World Congress at
_________________________________
Here
is the Charter as presented
A
Charter of Brotherhood and Human Rights
Belief in the principle of Human Brotherhood, as an ideal for all
men and women the world over, is so universally held by enlightened people that
an effort should now be made to define what it implies. In the past the ideal
of Brotherhood has been mainly advocated for application by individual men and
women in their personal and social relationships.
On account of the rapid development of modern transport and
communication with its effect upon commerce and industry, the organization of
which now tends to transcend the limitations of national boundaries, and on
account of the international character of financial transactions, which have
effects upon a continental and worldwide scale, the Nations of the world are
now becoming integrated into a single world-wide civilization. Intellectual
culture now traverses all national boundaries and is another factor in this
integration.
In spite of this modern development the principle of Brotherhood
has received little attention in its practical application. No common standard
throughout the world in this respect has been recognized. Perhaps it is because
of this lack, that international and economic difficulties arise. The
Declaration of Brotherhood and Human Rights which follows is an attempt to
formulate such a basic standard. It is proposed that this Declaration should be
considered by allcountries, and that it should be
given practical effect in accordance with the particular circumstances and
conditions which exist in each country.
Recognition of Rights implies an equal recognition of Duties. The
former cannot exsit without the latter. Nothing
therefore, is to be read into this Declaration which may be interpreted as
permission for relaxation of the duties which every citizen owes to his family,
town, country, and to the whole human race.
A
Declaration of Brotherhood and Human Rights
Each man, woman and child of every race, creed, rank, caste and
nation is primarily and fundamentally a member of the Universal Brotherhood of
Humanity.
Every individual shall therefore be entitled to enjoy:-
1)
The right to Life,
2)
The right to express his thoughts and opinions freely
and without interference, in speech, in writing, in private and in public
meeting.
3)
The right to fair and impartial trial, and to equal
Justice in common with all other individuals without regard to any distinction
whatever.
4)
The right to hold, advocate
and practice any form of Religion or none, without interference or compulsion
from any source whatever.
5)
The right to reside in any country, irrespective of
nationality.
6)
The right to complete freedom to Trade with any other
citizens of the world
whether acting as an individual or as a member of a trading
company or group.
7)
The right to combine with other individuals, whether in
his own country or in other countries, to form international societies or group
organizations for the pursuit of any form of human welfare.
8)
The right to determine in conjunction with the other
citizens in his own country the form and personnel of the Government in his own
country.
9)
The right to Economic Maintenance
10)The
right to education for all children
Brotherhood
and Personal Duties
Because Rights can only be maintained by the fulfillment of Duties,
the foregoing Declaration of Rights recognizes the following conditions:-
1) Every individual shall comply with the Laws of his Country and
of the Country in which he is for the time being resident and shall exercise
his rights only in such a manner as will preserve the corresponding rights of
others and in accordance with the prevailing standards of courtesy and decency.
2) The right to freedom of Expression of Opinion shall not permit incitation
to any act contrary to the Laws for the time being in force, but will permit
advocacy of change in such Laws.
3) The right of Religious Freedom shall only be exercised for human
progress and shall not confer any permission for cruelty, animal or other
sacrifices or the use of any insidious form of mental influences.
4) The right of freedom to Trade shall not prevent any community of
nation making laws for the prohibition or regulation of trade in specified
articles, and traders and trading companies shall be free to trade only within
such limitations.
5) The right of determination of the form and personnel of the
Government implies no criticismof, or recommendation
of any particular form of government of any particular class of individuals.
Each individual shall exercise his right of political self-determination only
in his own country and in conjunction with all his fellow citizens.
6) The right of residence in a country other than his own shal not permit any individual to
become an economic charge upon such a country.
7) The right of the individual to Economic Maintenance by the
community can only be maintained if every individual gives corresponding
support to the community. Every nation shall therefore determine the conditions
in which such economic maintenance for its citizens is to be obtained.
Theosophical Society,