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Human Rights

When I was learning history at school, I remember
having to learn by heart long lists of names and dates,
most of which meant absolutely nothing to me. One of
them was MAGNA CARTA 1215, exactly eight hundred
years ago this year – and it was only quite recently that I
discovered what it was all about. It was a charter, drawn
up between the King and the Barons. Among many
other things it started that everyone, including the
King, was subject to the Laws of the land and also that
all people had the right to justice and a fair trial. It says,
‘To none shall we sell, to no one deny or delay justice.
While the charter had little effect at the time, it was never
forgotten and some of its principles were included in
the United States Bill of Rights that followed American
independence and also in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the aftermath of the
Second World War. It begins, ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.’ It speaks about the right to work,
to speak, to worship, as well as freedom of movement and education.
Tragically we live in a world where, in spite of massive developments in technology, more and
more people are being denied basic human rights. Never has there been so many refugees,
driven from their homes and livelihoods; or so much human trafficking where people are
being denied the most basic of all human rights-the right to life.
The Bible has a lot to say about human rights. It tells us that all people are created in the image
of God. It reminds us that human life is sacred and that we should never discriminate or show
favouritism. It calls us to help people in need and that we come nearest to God in the way that
we serve other people.
And yet it all seems so hopeless. The challenges are so huge and we are so powerless. What is
that point of trying to do anything? I think of the wisdom Mother Teresa who once said that
‘what we do may just be a drop in the ocean, but it is a drop that would be missed if it wasn’t
there.’

Which is why we should all make sure that every single member of our school community
is treated equally, fairly, respectfully and kindly without fear or favour. It is the very least we
should do.

Canon Mark Lidwill
School Chaplain

6 The Royal Times 2014-2015