Modern Age of Rights

Modern Age of Rights

Modern age of rights is used generally to refer to the bill of rights enacted or created during the

time period after post antiquity era, which is the era characterized with expansion in civilization,

development of world’s great religions and the development of networks of trade between

civilizations. A bill of rights is a list of basic rights to citizens of a specific

country for their well-being.

Before the passing of the bill of rights in Canada in 1960, the society was characterized

Injustices such as discriminations among natives, French- Canadians among other immigrants

also there was need to create rights for individuals right to life, right to speech and association

which were threatened at the moment. All these violations against humanity compelled members

of parliament such as John Dienfenbaker to draft their own bill of rights. Therefore before 1960

what really existed in Canada was bill of rights until a decade before 1960 when they became the

country’s first laws to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens

Similarly citizens legal rights have been guaranteed as the rights have formally been

recognized. The bill ensured further protection of certain entities in the society

such as the vulnerable in which, through courts of law justice was ensured. The bill also served

as minimum check in the creation of laws and administration of government’s policies to prevent

governments arbitrary action against its citizens.

The bill of rights brought a contrast between the era before the bill and the era after.

Some of the chief differences is the abolition of slavery in Canada. Since the state depended on

economic activities such as agriculture and farming, most of the workers were obtained as slaves

either bought or those captured in war. They provided cheap labor which was then abolished

by the passing of the bill of rights. Also, women oppression was deeply rooted in the Canadian

state during the era before the passing of the bill. Such oppressions included omission of women

during voting or contesting for

any political position in the society. Similarly feminist groups brought bills in favor of women

but non was accepted. This however changed in 1960 when women gained victory and would

contest against the male gender in seats of power as they would enter politics as legislature and

Casgrain earned this honor herself when she was appointed to the senate in 1970 ( Damien B. JUNE 3, 2014).

Indigenous rights are the rights that exist and recognize the conditions around the original

inhabitants of a place or region. They cover a not only the basic needs but also cultural, social

and economic heritage These include, the right to land territories and resources, economic, social

and cultural rights and the collective rights.

The right to land territories and resources ensures that the people have a right to

tradionally owned land. This ensured a coexistence between members in a society in sharing land

and the resources. Economic, social and cultural rights were relevant to indigenous people in

ensuring continued growth and sustenance economically, strengthening their social and cultural

bonds. These rights resulted in prosperity and advancement in the society. In the modern era,

they play a key role in development.

Collective rights oversaw the rights of individuals to the rights of the entire society and

were inclusive of the basic rights. These indigenous rights challenged the typical view of human

rights as just the basic rights but as an interconnected network for prosperity and development as

whole.

Works cited

Alison M. Ebanks, et al “Bill of rights pros and cons” Cayman Compass 5 May 2008.

Damien B, “History Archives” www.litverse.com 3 June 2014