A human person is “an individual substance of rational nature”. This classical definition confers on him a dignity that is his right by nature. Human rights are the basic entitlements which belong to all humans, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. The greatness and the inestimable value of human life even in its temporal phase depict the human person as subject of rights, respect and dignity. The greatest achievement of the modern society is the discovery of the human rights. This is evident in various declarations of human rights and the many initiatives at the local and global levels. Many countries today make affirmations and declaration of the rights of individuals and peoples in international assemblies and societies as their primary objective and pride. However, besides the ancient scourges of poverty, hunger, endemic diseases, violence and war, new threats to human dignity and life are emerging on an alarmingly vast scale, such as: sub-human living conditions, arbitrary imprisonment, kidnapping, modern and ancient slavery, women/children trafficking, human organ trafficking, disgraceful working conditions, etc. These treat people as mere instruments of gain rather than as free and responsible persons. This paper therefore aims to stress the ethical implications of these threats to the human person as an individual and to the entire human society. It also calls for a practical implementation of human rights policies in order to enhance the integral respect, defense and promotion of the human person.
Human, Person, Rights, Respect, Dignity, Ethics
