Protecting Human
Rights—Questionnaire
This questionnaire is used to assess human rights throughout your
organization. It is based on the text and principles of
the United Nation’s “Universal
Declaration of Human Rights” It can be used alone, or in conjunction with
the
report on Protecting Human Rights.
As it is now written the scope of the questionnaire is one country.
This scope can be adjusted to suit a region, organization, or group of any size or
structure by changing the phrase “in my country” to another suitable
phrase each time it appears.
The statements in blue assess the
importance the respondent places on each human rights concept.
Completing the Questionnaire
Based on your knowledge of conditions as they now exist in your
country, respond to each of the following items by choosing the number
on the scale that best reflects your agreement or disagreement with each
statement.
Section 1 - Declaration
- In my country all people are free and equal and are treated with
respect and dignity.
- Everyone in my country is treated as a worthy human.
- People in my country feel worthy.
- I feel good about who I am.
- All people deserve to be treated as
free and equal.
- Dignity is inherent to all humans and
deserves to be recognized unconditionally.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 2 - Scope
- In my country equal rights are extended to people regardless of
race, color, religion, social origin, or natural origin.
- In my country equal rights are extended to people regardless of
their political opinions, property ownership status, birth
circumstances, and language spoken.
- In my country equal rights are extended to all adult women.
- In my country equal rights are extended to people of all sexual
orientations.
- We all have equal rights.
- Everyone in our country deserves equal
rights.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 3 - Security
Include careful a definition of liberty here
- People in my country feel safe.
- Liberty is guaranteed for everyone in my country.
- I feel safe.
- Safety and security is important for
all of us.
- All of us deserve liberty.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 4 - Slavery
Include careful definitions of slavery,
servitude, and slave trade
here.
-
Slavery does not exist in my country.
-
Servitude does not exist in my country in any form.
-
Slave trade does not exist in my country.
-
No one is a slave.
-
Slavery is unjust.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 5 - Torture
Include careful a definition of torture here
- No one is subjected to torture in my country.
- No one is subjected to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or
punishment in my country.
- No one deserves to be tortured.
- Torture cannot be justified.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 6 - Legal Recognition
- The laws of my country apply to me.
- I am recognized by the laws of my country.
- Everyone deserves to be recognized
under the laws or my country.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 7 - Equal Protection
- Everyone in my country is protected equally by the law.
- In my country the law does not discriminate against anyone.
- Everyone deserves equal protection
under the law.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 8 - Effective Remedies
Include careful definitions of constitution,
legal system, and rights
here
- Laws in my country uphold the rights granted by our
constitution.
- The Legal System of my country provides effective remedies for
people whose constitutional rights have been violated.
- Our laws protect all of us well.
- We have good legal recourse to compensate victims.
- Victims deserve legal remedies to
compensate for their suffering.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 9 - Arbitrary Arrest
Include careful definitions of arrest,
detention, and exile
here
- No one in my country is subjected to arbitrary arrest,
detention, or exile.
- People are only arrested for good and sufficient cause.
- It is wrong to arrest someone
arbitrarily or without cause.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 10 - Fair Hearing
Include careful definitions of court,
tribunal, accused, crime, and
charged
here
- Anyone in my country charged with a crime can get a fair and
public hearing by a court or tribunal.
- The court or tribunal is independent and impartial.
- The court or tribunal makes clear the rights and obligations of
the accused.
- The court system is fair.
- Every one deserves a full and fair hearing.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 11 - Presumed Innocent
Include careful definitions of presumed innocent
and defense here
- In my country people charged with a crime are presumed innocent
until proven guilty.
- Guilt can only be established after presenting a thorough
defense at a fair trial.
- Guilt or innocence is determined based on the laws that were in
effect at the time of the alleged offence, not retroactively based
on laws passed or amended since that time.
- People are presumed innocent and given a fair trial.
- Everyone deserves to be presumed
innocent until proven guilty.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 12 - Privacy Protections
Include careful definitions of privacy, family,
correspondence, honor, reputation, and arbitrary interference
here
- In my country privacy, family, home, and correspondence are not
arbitrarily interfered with.
- In my country a person's honor or reputation are not arbitrarily
attacked.
- In my country the law protects us from arbitrary interference
with privacy, family, correspondence, and attacks on honor and
reputation.
- My privacy is well protected.
- I feel respected.
- Everyone deserves to have their privacy
protected.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 13 - Freedom of Movement
- We can all move freely within the borders of our country
- We can live where we want to, anywhere within our country.
- We are free to leave our country and return to it as we wish.
- I am free to travel about the country and world as I please.
- Everyone deserves to travel as they
please.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 14 - Asylum
Include careful definitions of asylum,
persecution, and political crimes
here
- Anyone can seek asylum in my country to avoid persecution from
another country.
- Anyone from our country can seek asylum from another country to
avoid persecution.
- Asylum protection is only granted for political crimes or for
attempts to uphold the purposes and principles of the United
Nations.
- Asylum protection is an important
right.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 15 - Rights of Nationality
Include careful a definition of citizenship
here. Check that it is an accurate synonym for nationality.
- In my country everyone has the right to citizenship.
- In my country no one can be arbitrarily deprived of their
citizenship.
- In my country everyone has the right to change citizenship.
- I am a citizen of my chosen country.
- Everyone deserves to become a citizen.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 16 - Marriage
Include careful definitions of adult,
marriage, and family
here
- Adults in my country are free to marry, have children, and raise
a family.
- In my country marriage results only from the free-will and full
consent of both intending spouses.
- The State recognizes the importance of the family and provides
adequate protection for family units.
- I am free to marry my chosen partner.
- I am free to raise a family.
- Family bonds are respected and protected.
- All adults deserve to make their own
free choice in marriage.
- Families deserve to be protected.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 17 - Property Ownership
Include careful a definition of property
here.
- Anyone in my country can own property privately or in
association with others.
- In my country privately-owned property is never arbitrarily
seized.
- Property ownership is an important
right for all.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 18 - Religious Freedom
Include careful definitions of thought,
conscience, belief, and religion
here
- Everyone in my country is granted the freedoms of thought,
conscience, and religion.
- Everyone in my country is free to choose their own religion and
to practice it in worship, observance, and teaching.
- Religious observances and worship are free to be practiced in
public or private, alone or in community.
- Everyone in my country is free to change their religion or
beliefs.
- I am free to believe whatever I want.
- I am free to practice my chosen religion as I please.
- It is important for all people to be
able to practice the religion of their choice.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 19 - Freedom of Expression
Include careful definitions of media, state
censorship, and boundaries
here
- Everyone in my country is free to form their own opinions and to
express their thoughts, opinions, concerns, and questions publically
and privately.
- Ideas can be freely expressed, without State censorship, through
any media, and distributed across any boundaries.
- Opinions can be held and expressed without fear of reprisal.
- I am free to say or write whatever I want.
- It is important for people to be able
to express themselves freely in public and private.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 20 - Rights of Assembly
Include careful definitions of associate, assemble,
association, and compelled
here
- In my country people are free to associate and to assemble
peacefully into groups.
- No one in my country is compelled to join any association.
- I can meet with whomever I please.
- People deserve to meet with whomever
they choose.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 21 - Government by the People
Include careful definitions of freely-chosen,
representative, public services, and
suffrage
here
- Everyone in my country is free to participate in government,
directly or through their freely-chosen representative.
- Everyone has equal access to public services.
- The will of the people create Government's only authority.
- The will of the people is expressed in genuine elections, with
universal and equal suffrage, and secret ballot.
- The government does a good job of representing me.
- It is important for government to represent
the people.
- It is important for government to serve the
people.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 22 - Economic, Social, and Cultural
Security
Include careful definitions of cultural needs,
social needs, and develop personalities
here
- Everyone in my country has adequate fresh air, clean water,
nutritious food, protective shelter, and sanitary waste disposal.
- In my country, everyone's cultural needs are met.
- In my country, everyone's social needs are met.
- People in my country feel respected and are free and able to
develop their own personalities.
- People don't go hungry.
- People care about me.
- I feel loved.
- I belong to a community.
- Wealth is distributed fairly.
- Each of us gets enough before anyone gets too much.
- Everyone deserves to have their basic
needs met.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 23 - Rights to Work
Include careful definitions of employment, suitable
working conditions, equal pay, equal work, living wage, and
trade union
here
- Everyone in my country has the right to employment that provides
suitable safe working conditions.
- Everyone in my country has free choice of employment
opportunities.
- Throughout my country equal pay is provided for equal work,
without any regard to discrimination.
- Every working person in my country is able to earn a living
wage.
- Everyone in my country is free to form or join a trade union to
protect their interests.
- I am free to seek any job I feel qualified for.
- People who want to work are able to find work.
- Working conditions are safe and humane.
- It is important that everyone be able
to find employment.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 24 - Leisure
- People in my country are able to get adequate rest and leisure
away from work.
- People employed in my country have reasonable paid vacations and
holidays.
- I get enough rest and relaxation.
- Everyone deserves adequate rest.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 25 - Adequate Standard of Living
Include careful definitions of standard of living,
wellbeing, social services, and
social protections
here
- Everyone in my country has a standard of living adequate for
health and wellbeing.
- We have adequate water, food, clothing, housing, and medical care.
- We have needed social services, and can obtain needed assistance
in case of unemployment, sickness, disability, death of our spouse,
old age or other lack of livelihood due to unavoidable
circumstances.
- Social protections extend to all children, whether born in or
out of wedlock.
- Everyone in my country has the things we need to live.
- Everyone deserves suitable living
conditions.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 26 - Education
Include careful definitions of education,
elementary school, technical and professional education, and
higher education
here
- Education is available to everyone in my country.
- Elementary school education is provided free of charge to all
children in my country.
- Elementary school education is mandatory for all the children in
my country.
- Technical and professional education is generally available and
equally accessible to the people in my country.
- Higher education is equally accessible on the basis of merit.
- Education programs address the full development of human
personality. They strengthen respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms.
- Education programs promote understanding, tolerance and
friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and
further the peace-related activities of the United Nations.
- Parents are able to choose the kind of education provided to
their children.
- The people of my country are well educated.
- Education for all is important.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 27 - Cultural Participation
Include careful definitions of cultural activities,
arts, scientific advancements, and
intellectual property rights
here
- Everyone in my country is free to participate in cultural
activities.
- Everyone in my country is free to enjoy the arts.
- Everyone in my country is free to share in scientific
advancements and its benefits.
- Everyone has the right to receive credit for and benefit from
any scientific, literary, or artistic production they create.
- My country has a vibrant culture.
- Many types of artists create works in my country.
- The people of my country study science and benefit from its
advancements.
- The people of my country work to advance science.
- Creative people are acknowledged for their work and intellectual
property rights are protected by fair copyright laws.
- Everyone deserves to participate in
cultural and scientific activities.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 28 - Social Order
Include careful definitions of order, stability, and
human rights
here
- Daily life in my country is orderly and stable.
- The stability of life in my country contributes to preserving
human rights.
- Life in my country is peaceful.
- We deserve to live in stable and
orderly places.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 29 - Free and Full Development
Include careful definitions of community activities and
freedom
here
- The people in my country are free to participate in community
activities.
- My freedom ends only where another's freedom begins.
- Freedoms are not exercised contrary to the purposes of the
United Nations.
- We exercise our freedoms fully and responsibly while respecting the
rights of others.
- Personal freedoms are important.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
Section 30 - Preserving Human Rights
Include a careful definition of
human rights
here
- Human rights for every person are protected throughout my
country.
- Everyone deserves to have their human
rights protected.
Each of these is rated on a scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree
through 5=Strongly Agree
[ Return to the Dignity Index
]
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