Human Rights and Scripture:  The Right to Participate in Self-Government for All People

Article #21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

The late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in his book “Morality,” said, “A free society is a moral achievement.”  This simple statement struck me as a profound and fragile idea.

Article#21 of the USHR declares:  

• Everyone has the right to take part in government in their country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. 

•  Everyone has the right to equal access to public services in their country, 
• The will of the people shall be the basis of authority of government, and it must be expressed through elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures. 

In the book of Deuteronomy, we see the formation of tribal leaders.  The people selected members of the 12 tribes of Israel to assume the role of a public servant in hearing the various disputes within their tribe. We witness in this text a decentralization of political power from Moses to tribal leaders, who are selected by a process within the tribes themselves. Scripture, in general, plants the seeds of the later development of democracy through a number of its core ideas, including equal human dignity, the rule of law, and human rights.

Deuteronomy 1:13:  “….Choose for each of your tribes, individuals who are wise, discerning, and reputable to be your leaders.” 

UDHR Article 21 enshrines the right to a representative self-government as a fundamental human right. Article 21 recognizes that we all, regardless of gender, have the right to partake in political affairs. Whether by becoming a public servant or voting one into office, all are equally granted the right to play an active role in their country’s political process.

May we continue the work of creating an ever-more perfect union, and find courage to protect our liberal democracy, where checks and balances, a free press, and freedom of religion and freedom of political expression and protest remain constant and every protected.