Definitions of freedom from national and international documents

The team of Shumen, Bulgaria

 

 Freedom of Personality

The lack of compulsion, limitations in social and political life and at the activity of a given group of people or particular members of society

 

The basic human rights and freedoms have centuries-long history of formation and confirmation. The Great Charter of Freedoms from 1215 is forerunner of human rights regulating- right of possession, personal inviolability.

 “No freemen shall be taken, or imprisoned, or disseized, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any way harmed. Nor will we go upon, or send upon him, save by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land. “

Clause XXXIX from the Great Charter of Freedoms (MHL), 1215

The second time where these rights are clearly and categorically confirmed is in The United States Declaration of Independence, from 4th July 1776.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

And again confirmed in article 1, section 9, clause  2 in The Constitution of the United States of America, accepted on 17th September 1787.

“The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.”

The historic French declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen from 1789 (the first official document еspecially devoted to the human rights), proclaiming equality between people  by birth, announcing the human right of freedom, possession, resistance against oppression, personal freedom, freedom of thought and speech, conscience, freedom to participate in the political life  as irrevocable.

Response from these long ago passed events we can find also in The Bulgarian Constitution, where clearly and with patriotic sense from the just achieved freedom, is said:

“Nobody in the Principality of Bulgaria can buy or sell human beings. Every slave from any sex, faith and nationality becomes free when they tread on Bulgarian territory.”

Chapter XXII, article 1, clause 61 from The Constitution of the Principality of Bulgaria. 16th April 1879.

In the same tone in XX century, several declarations of the human rights are made, which systematize and explain in explicit aspect the human freedoms. The most important and comprehensive is “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. Precisely there we find, in a clear aspect, the acknowledgement from all nations about the veracity of the aforesaid and consolidating under the winged phrase: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

Article 1 from the Universal Declaration Of  Human Rights, 10th   December 1948

 

“Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.”

Article 2 from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 10th December 1948 

“Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”

Article 3 from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 10th December 1948

 

Exactly that is grounded on the pin in chapter 1, article 6, paragraph 1 in the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria from 13th July 1991. –“All persons are born free and equal in dignity and rights”, as in article 6, paragraph 2:”All citizens shall be equal before the law. There shall be no privileges or restriction of rights on the grounds of race, national or social origin, ethnic self-identity, sex, religion, education, opinion, political affiliation, personal or social status or property status.”

 

 

FREEDOM OF RELIGION

 

 

The freedom of religion is  expressed by the right of everyone to change their religion or belief and the freedom to manifest religion or conviction individually or collectively, in public or private, through worship, teaching, religious  observance and rituals or to refuse such activities.The contemporary democracies consider the right of freedom of religion for something natural thanks to the comprehension  that all people are born free and equal in rights. This right is private and irreversible.It is guaranteed by the international law and by the national law of Republic of Bulgaria.

 

            “Christians who are not members of the Greek Orthodox Church or people who are not Christians without significance if they are born in Bulgaria or they had acquired it later or foreigners without significance if they live in Bulgaria or if they are in Bulgaria for short time, have the freedom of religion when the fulfillment of their observances doesn’t break the already existed laws.”

            Chapter one, clause 40 from the Constitution of the Bulgarian principality, 16th April 1789

This right is also guaranteed in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 10 December 1948

           

“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

“No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.”

“No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.”          

“Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as a prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safely, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.”

            Exactly in the same tone speaks the new Constitution of Bulgaria from 13th July 1991, where in article 6 paragraph 2 the deputies fortify the postulate: “All citizens shall be equal before the law.”

 

FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND OPINION

 

            The freedom of speech is also risen to a veracious civil liberty. It is expressed in everyone’s liberty to express their opinion and view publicly without interference and pressure on the part of the public authority, practicing of censorship or infliction a punishment. The freedom of opinion is expressed in the liberty of formulating and supporting ideas, where freedom of speech and opinion are in synergy.

            Exactly this is reflected in the will of all the European citizens and is written into the irrevocable act of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from 10th December 1948, where in article 19 is declared: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”