Essay: Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Climate Change Impact

This essay delves into the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and its relevance to personal experiences and the impacts of climate change. The essay begins by examining how various articles of the UDHR, such as the right to equality, freedom from discrimination, and freedom of movement, are applied and experienced in Malaysia. It then transitions to the discussion of climate change, its effects, and how it infringes upon human rights. The essay highlights the consequences of global warming, including rising sea levels and air pollution, using real-world examples such as the sinking of Jakarta and the Pasir Gudang chemical pollution incident. The author concludes by emphasizing the need for individual and collective action to address climate change and protect human rights for future generations.

Question 1
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a historic document that was
adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at its 183rd session on 10 December 1948 as
Resolution 217 at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, France. The Declaration consists of 30 articles
affirming an individual's rights which, although not legally binding in themselves, have been
elaborated in subsequent international treaties, economic transfers, regional human rights
instruments, national constitutions, and other laws referring to (Universal Declaration of Human
Rights 2019). Following is explanation to 10 of the Human Right Articles which related in my
experiences.
Article 1, Right of Equality, in Malaysia all the people also have their right in education.
In other words, all Malaysian have the right to study without on the race, region, and gender
neither age. They all are equal to have or to continue on the studies. As my experience, all
children’s may need to send to school at age 7, and have to complete primary school at12. For
those parents fail to send the young for school, they are against the law.
Freedom from discrimination mentioned in Article 2, all men and women should be
threaten equally at work place on opportunity to get promotion base on their performance,
attitudes and knowledge. At pass working experience as technician in a factory, all colleagues
have chances of promote, when they did success to complete a project with excellence result.

“We accept that he (former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak) is innocent
until proven guilty and the burden to prove that he is guilty is with us.” said (Thomas 2018).
Referring to Article 11, Right to be Considered Innocent until Proven Guilty is applicable to
everyone in this country.
As a Malaysian, we are able to travel within state, without any barrier to stop us to
moving around in Malaysia or travel to others country. In Article 13 Right to Free Movement in
and out of the Country. Firstly, everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence
within borders of each state. Secondly, everyone has the right to leave any country, including his
own, and to return to his country.
Article 16, Right to Marriage and Family did mention, men and women of full age,
without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a
family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution. At
Malaysia, once your age reach 18 year old, you are free to decide who you would like marry to.
Article 17, Right to Own Property, Everyone has the right to own property alone as well
as in association with others and there are no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
When someone own his personal property, the others will not have right to take over his property
or stay at his property without his permission.
Article 18, Freedom of Belief and Religion, as well known, Malaysia is a multi-religions
& cultures country, the people are free to choose the belief and region. They all are fully given
freedom to manifest his religion or belief, celebration of festivals and any others religious event.
Beside of mentioned, this right also includes freedom to change his religion or belief.

Most of the youngsters at this time, they would like to share their expression & opinion
thought social media like Facebook, Instagram, Tweeter & many more. In Article 19, Freedom
of Opinion and Information did mention that, everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and
expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinion without interference and to seek, receive
and impart information and idea through any media and regardless of frontiers.
In Malaysia, freedom of assembly is a right that is protected by the Federal Constitution.
All citizens have the right to assemble peacefully without arms, said (JOHAN 2016). In Article
20, Right of Peaceful Assembly and Association did say that everyone has the right to freedom
of peaceful assembly and association and no one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21, Right to Participate in Government and in Free Elections. Everyone has the
right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen
representatives and has the right of equal access to public service in his country. Referring to
(Leong 2019), Malaysia’s MPs on Tuesday (July 16) approved a legal amendment to lower the
voting age to 18, from 21 previously. The amendment also included provisions for voters to be
automatically registered on electoral rolls and for candidates to be eligible to stand for election
from 18 years of age.
As a conclusion, the all 30 Article is basic human right law to protect and make sure all
the people treat equally. And above mention major is based on my personal experience or
incidences happen around me.

Question 2
Climate change; a change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change
apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels
of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels. (Lexico.com 2019). Beside of
the mention global warming, climate change like air and water pollution, flood, and earth quake
and ground collapse also did bring strong impact to human right.
Nowadays, global warming is already having significant and costly effects on our
communities, our health, and our climate. Unless we take immediate action to reduce global
warming emissions, these impacts will continue to intensify, grow ever more costly and
damaging, and increasingly affect the entire planet. Global warming is now accelerating the rate
of sea level rise, increasing flooding risks to low-lying communities. Referring to (Lindsey 2018)
sea level has been rising over the past century, and the rate has increased in recent decades. In
2017, global mean sea level was 3 inches (77 millimeters) above the 1993 average—the highest
annual average in the satellite record (1993-present). It was the sixth consecutive year and the
22nd out of the last 24 years in which global mean sea level increased relative to the previous
year.

Data mentioned above will direct causing flooding and much serious will be sinking of
city or island. The right of people prejudiced by climate change, people wills loss of their home,
job and properties. Because of flooding damage and spoiled all they belonging, as state on
Article 17, Right of Own Property is to protect people property taken by others, but climate
change didn’t. It is more serious happen in Indonesia, President Joko Widodo did mention to
relocation capital Jakarta which is slowly sinking. They may need to move out all their peoples
and belongings from current capital. Not only Jakarta facing sinking issue, but others big cities
like Beijing, Houston and others also facing the same problem. Below link is direct to the related
information. In this situation, the peoples will loss of job, home, belonging and more worse is
their family.
Case study one : (CNN) Indonesia has said the country would be relocating its capital city, in
part because it's sinking into the Java Sea. Jakarta is one of the fastest sinking cities in the world,
according to the World Economic Forum, due to rising sea levels and the over-extraction of
groundwater. But it isn't the only city in trouble. Here's a look at some others that are also at risk.
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/27/world/sinking-cities-indonesia-trnd/index.html
“Air pollution incident has resulted in 39 students from five schools in Pasir Gudang to
vomit and have breathing difficulties” said (The Star Online 2019). It is reported that an illegal
tire recycling factory had allegedly dumped chemical waste into river. The weird things in this
incidence are, most of the victims also the primary school students.
After the incidents, the state Department of Environment (DoE) announced it would take
action against 18 illegal chemical factories operating in the area and the government has ordered
a total of 111 schools in and around Pasir Gudang in Johor closed pending further notice. At this

situation, climate change again has taken the Right to Equality in Article 1 and the Right to life,
liberty and security of person in Article 3 from the affected school.
All the affected school will close until the further notice; it is mean the right of the
students for study has been taken. And this is not fair or equally threatens, while others students
from this country able to continue their studies at school but the effected students may need to
stop going for school. Beside of this, these students healthy also have been influences. This is
totally against the Article 3 mentioned Right of life, liberty and security of person.
Attached link on below did mention how serious of this incidence are. How the chemicals
impact of our body and some step we can take when we face to same situation in our living area
especially to the chemicals dumped.
Case study: As of 14th March 2019, there are a total of 2,775 people who are affected by the
chemical pollution, with 1,906 cases reported in Pasir Gudang and 869 cases in Johor Bahru.
Currently, no deaths were reported in this issue. 111 schools near the Pasir Gudang district were
ordered to shut, along with kindergartens and preschools as well.
https://www.soyacincau.com/2019/03/16/pasir-gudang-chemical-pollution/

As conclusion, Law able to protect people from threat equally, not harmful by others and
to give people basic human right freedom, for harmony environment but it can’t protect people
from the climate change. The people act and behavior will able to make the changes to the
climate change. To have a better tomorrow for the youngest generation, they should start to
educate next generation how to love and care to the big environment surround us.
Reference;
Bibliography
JOHAN, SYAHREDZAN. The right to peaceful assembly. November 11, 2016.
https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/online-exclusive/a-humble-submission/2016/11/11/the-
right-to-peaceful-assembly-unlike-the-police-act-before-this-the-peaceful-assembly-act-allows-
as.
Leong, Trinna. Malaysia's MPs approve amendment to lower voting age from 21 to 18. July 16, 2019.
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysias-federal-constitution-amended-to-lower-

voting-age-from-21-to-18.
Lexico.com. climate change. 2019. https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/climate_change.
Lindsey, Rebecca. Climate Change: Global Sea Level. August 1, 2018. https://www.climate.gov/news-
features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-sea-level.
The Star Online. 39 students affected in new case of air pollution. July 20, 2019.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/07/20/39-students-affected-in-new-case-of-
air-pollution.
Thomas, Attorney-General Tommy. Gag order only limited to statements about SRC International: AG
Thomas. JULY 4, 2018. https://www.thesundaily.my/archive/gag-order-only-limited-statements-
about-src-international-ag-thomas-DUARCH561471.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. July 19, 2019.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights.