Feb 7

Human rights were viewed as both natural and universal. These rights were envisioned as being the same for everybody. Prior to the late eighteenth century, the understanding of rights challenged nearly all notions of government and society. What was highly controversial was the idea of human rights. Both the French document and the U.S. Declaration of Independence drew ideas from the European Enlightenment. The sole causes of public misfortunes were the ignorance, contempt, or neglect of the rights of man. In rights, men remain free and are born. In the nation, what rests is the principle of all sovereignty. Actions that are injurious to society are prohibited by the law. All public dignities, offices, and employments are equally admissible with all citizens. Only in cases determined by the law may a man be indicated, detained, or arrested.