
“Declaration of Rights of Man & Citizen” (1789)
- The Representatives of France in a National Assembly
- Because of past ignorance, neglect & contempt of human rights are the cause of public misfortune & corruption of government
- Trying to make natural & inalienable rights always in the mind of the public so that they protect them
- Acts of government (legislative & executive) respect them
- Constitution is maintained based on them
- Sacred Rights:
- Men are born & continue to be free & equal in rights. Civil distinctions based on public utility
- Purpose of politics is to preserve rights – liberty, property, security & resistance of oppression
- Nation is the source of all sovereignty – no one can have authority not derived from it
- Political liberty – doing whatever doesn’t injure others, otherwise no limits – only for free exercise of rights. Limits to be determined by the law
- Law only to prohibit actions hurtful to society
- Law is an expression of the will of the community, based on elections
- No one can be accused, arrest or held except determined by law
- Law only to impose penalties necessary
- Presumption of innocence until guilt is proven
- No molestation based on opinions, even religion, only in a case of public disturbance
- Unrestrained communication of thoughts & opinions – free to speak, write & publish freely
- Public force necessary for benefit of community to enforce rights
- Government roles & funds to be divided equally among communities according to abilities
- Every citizen has the right to a free voice in necessity of public contributions, appropriates, amount, assessment & duration
- Community has the right to demand all agents to accountable of conduct
- Each community without powers & security of rights not provided needs constitution
- No one is to be deprived of property, except out of public necessity, legally ascertained with just indemnity