Question

Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions?

Answer 1

Contradicting Equality before Law

• The Universal Right were beset with contradictions.
• The Declaration of the Rights of the Man and Citizen spoke about Equality before Law.
• In reality this was not implemented.
• The rich people had the sole right of representing all the people. The poor people did not have any right to represent themselves.
• This lack of equality before law was clearly noted by the revolutionary journalist named Jean-Paul Marat in his newspaper The Friend of the People (L’Ami du peuple).

Contradicting Many Rights – Reign of Terror

• The Declaration of Man and Citizen spoke about responsibility of the State to protect the natural rights of citizens, and it also spoke giving freedom of opinion, freedom of speech, and right to life.
• But all these freedoms were taken away during the Reign of Terror.
• The Policy of severe punishment and control was followed by Robespierre during the Reign of Terror.
• Members of his own party, members of other political parties, clergy, ex-nobles who had different opinions were arrested, imprisoned and executed, which was completely contradictory to the assurance of Right to Life, freedom of Speech.

Contradicting Right to Life, Freedom of Speech

• In 1793, Camille Desmoulins, a Revolutionary Journalist wrote about the meaning of Liberty. He wrote Liberty was all about justice, equality, happiness, and reason.
• He opposed the views of people who believed Liberty had to go through the phase of discipline and Maturity.
• He was soon executed, contradicting the meaning of Freedom of Speech and Right to Life.