According Article 25 from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
„Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
Article 3 “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and the security of person.”
Article 5 “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
The beggar who has lost her right to life. A right, the violations of which are quite well-known in Bulgaria, due to the high unemployment and lack of home and means for survival for many elderly people. The right to personal security, according to Article 3 of the Declaration, has been violated because the woman is not protected by anyone. Article 5 is violated because the woman is subjected to public humiliation in order to survive. Article 25 has been violated because she is not under protection and the necessary social care is not provided for her.
Author: Vensan Skenderov, students, XI grade, High School of Science and Mathematics, “Yane Sandanski”, Gotse Delchev
Reflection Questions:
- How many rights have been violated in this case, e.g. the right to survival, the right to property or the right to work?
- Look at the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and check which articles are related to the case of homeless people and those who straggle for survival with little or no means such as home and food?