[Opinion] No Civilized Society Is Ignorant of Human Rights

There is a saying, ``Europeans take ruins as the standard of culture, whereas Americans, pipelines.``

Those who has a travel experience might encounter a sort of contradiction when they were amazed by the grandeur of the remains of ancient Rome or of the glorious architecture and works of art of Renaissance in Italy on the one hand, and thought of that country as uncivilized on the other, as they were reaped off at a souvenir store or experienced obstructed drains at a shower in the hotel. Such an experience is uncommon in a country where there are many splendid cultural accomplishments.

But even though America does not have many glorious cultural and historical heritages, it is truly one of `civilized` countries since its underground sewage system, heating and air-conditioning system, electric power supply and telephone service are well provided and work well.

What can be the standard for a civilized society? Each one of us may think of different standards, but I think human rights must be the ultimate standard in this modern world. A country where only the upper classes enjoy decently living while the poor and powerless encounter disadvantage and are not protected properly by law cannot be regarded as civilized no matter how many cultural heritages it may have.

It is my belief that, unlike natural conditions, the condition of human rights is not something that becomes good or bad based on the condition of a country. Human rights have been achieved through hundreds of years of struggle in cooperation with the learned. In countries where human rights have been firmly established, people suffer less mistreated living and death, and those societies enjoy more chances to develop as their members are given opportunities to maximize their ability.

To be sure, a case of violating human rights happens in the countries where human rights are guarantees. But when it happens, it is thoroughly investigated, and perpetrators are punished. If it is a violation of human rights of ethnic minorities or underprivileged groups, a public opinion is formed and the law enforcement delves into even the cases that happened overseas a long time ago. Such a society can be regarded as truly respecting human rights.

In a country where human rights are guaranteed, women`s rights are respected as well. Thus in such a country women do not live in illiteracy with their faces covered with veils. In such a country, women talented in scholarship, arts or business are not expelled from home simply because they are not good sewers or cooks. They do not face `honorary murder` by their family, who chase and kill their daughters and sisters who get married without parental permission.

In a country where humans rights are guaranteed, those who are physically or mentally challenged receive maximum consideration for living as equal as those who have no such challenges. Thus, in that country, the physically or mentally challenged are not kept in a confinement as a shame to the family.

In a country where people are clearly conscious of their rights and duty, the legal order is firmly established as to carry out a thorough probe into a power-related corruption case. Thus when the powerful commit an injustice, they face a stern judgment of the law. In that country, those with no connection to the powerful do not assume disadvantage.

Slipshod construction and disorderly development that endanger people`s security and health do not dare to be conducted. Pipelining has been developed in advanced countries not only because they had skill but also because of constructor`s awareness of its relation to people`s security and convenience. In addition, people consume products safely in an advanced country. Those countries are considered underdeveloped where the case is not restrained that expensive fruit boxes with an indication of origin are filled with inedible fruits, that gift sets sold for hundred thousand won at famous department stores are full of cheap beef artificially attached to ribs, or that false corkers are delivered home.

The future is not to be sacrificed for the present. There are no advanced countries where those who are accused of having captured fries illegally argue arrogantly that they did not commit a crime because it was for living.

Because of the current situation, a theory of `clash of civilizations` is emerging, and an interest in Islamic culture is increasing. The leftwing side of our country has without clear reason has a fantasy about closed, oppressive poor countries. To be sure, advanced countries have many social ills and problems, and have made many national mistakes. And it is also true that people in underdeveloped countries are far more warmhearted.

But clearing out of corruptions in our society will be delayed if, feeling sympathy for underdeveloped countries, we attribute their underdevelopment to their poverty, and their poverty to the advanced countries.