3. While reading the text pay your attention to the words and phrases given in bold. Search the Internet and the links given above for the proper explanation.

4. What questions would you like to discuss with your peers. Make at least 5. Be ready to communicate your ideas to your group.

5. Find the words in the text which mean the following:

1. an official written agreement between two or more countries

2. basic, fundamental, natural.

3. the main subject of something such as a book, speech, art exhibition, or discussion

4. to deliberately become involved in a situation and try to influence the way that it develops, although you have no right to do this

5. to make an agreement official by signing it or formally accepting it

6. respect that other people have for you or that you have for yourself

7. unfair treatment of someone because of their religion, race, or other personal features

8. connected, related, corresponding

9. stress

10. the process of getting rid of something that is not wanted or needed

6. Translate the following sentences:

1. Universal human rights are often expressed and guaranteed by law, in the forms of treaties, customary international law, general principles and other sources of international law

2. All States have ratified at least one, and 80% of States have ratified four or more, of the core human rights treaties, reflecting consent of States which creates legal obligations for them.

3. The improvement of one right facilitates advancement of the others.

4. The principle applies to everyone in relation to all human rights and freedoms and it prohibits discrimination on the basis of a list of non-exhaustive categories.

5. The obligation to respect means that States must refrain from interfering with or curtailing the enjoyment of human rights.

6. The obligation to fulfil means that States must take positive action to facilitate the enjoyment of basic human rights.

7. With your partner, list examples of what you believe are the fundamental and universal rights of humans. Share your list in class discussion. Can the rights be grouped under specific headings? (Possible examples might be 'civil and political rights', such as rights to freedom of speech and movement; 'social rights', such as rights to food and shelter; 'environmental rights', such as the right to live in a clean and safe environment.)

8. With rights come responsibilities.

1. What are the responsibilities of all people in ensuring that all people enjoy their rights? With a partner, brainstorm a list of responsible behaviours towards other people, then create a class list.

2. What are the responsibilities of all people towards:

 

• the environment?

• community property?

• themselves (such as hygiene)?

 

3. Create a charter of rights and responsibilities for all people who enter your classroom. Display the charter in a prominent position.

4. Design a colourful poster with a collage of positive photographic or visual images on one of the following, and display it in a prominent location in the school or local community:

• people enjoying their rights

• people acting responsibly towards others, the environment, their community

or themselves.