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Human Rights ‘Gone Mad’

It drives me nuts when Conservatives et al. talk about Human Rights ‘gone mad’. Because no, they don’t believe in ‘human’ rights, that implies some kind of universality. But look at the language they use, the things they believe in, and it certainly relies on the notion of Rights:-

• The right to own property
• The right to oppress others
• The right to exploit others
• The right to be rich
• The right to have power
• The right to make money.

What sparks off my fury is listening to Cameron talking about how rights come with responsibilities, and thinking - he’s had more than his human rights upheld, he has had fuck loads of privileges that he somehow thinks he deserves or has the right to, most of which come (directly or indirectly) from plundering the world and exploiting its people. Also I read this and just couldn’t believe it (violently remove the protesters, they’re getting in the way of a businesses right to make money).

Not that i think that the language of Human Rights is necessarily a perfect framework, I just hate the hypocrisy of people attacking Human Rights, as though they have some problem with the notion of Rights. Clearly they have a notion of Rights, Rights for the elite, its just the ‘human’ or universality component they have the problem with.

The whole discourse of Rights and Responsibilites that Conservatives use is therefore very useful for them, it makes it appear that their only problem with Human Rights is when they do not also entail responsibilities. So it diverts attention away from their elitist position: that it is humanity/universality that they’re not really keen on the idea on, not rights.

Anti-Raids campaign: Solidarity with migrants checked on the street!

precariousworkersbrigade:

What can you do if you witness UK BA and police coordinated checks and raids of migrant workers in the streets and workplaces of London and other UK cities? As part of the anti-raids campaign we have produced an info leaflet on the law and practicalities.

The anti-raids campaign is supported by a growing coalition of groups: Lawas, Precarious Workers Brigade, Stop Deportations and Southwark Action, The Prisma, No Borders, South London Solidarity Federation. More info here.

Get in touch if you, your community or your organisation would like to support the campaign!