Assessing Human Rights/Questionnaire

This questionnaire can be used to assess human rights throughout your country. It is based on the text and principles of the United Nation’s “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” The numbering of the questionnaire sections corresponds directly to the numbering of articles in the Declaration.

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

• 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

• 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 in my country 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.
• Everyone 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Everyone in my country is free to form their own opinions and to express their thoughts, opinions, concerns, and questions publicly 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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