Instructor: Mba Mbulu Course Outline
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Title of Course: International Law 101 [Audio Version]
Class #5: The Economic Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966)
The Economic Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was agreed to in 1966. It recognizes that, "in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ideal of free human beings enjoying civil and political freedom and freedom from fear and want can only be achieved if conditions are created whereby everyone may enjoy his civil and political rights, as well as his economic, social and cultural rights..." Click Here to find the Articles and Sections most relevant to Black People. Click Here to find Explanatory Notes as to its relevance to the struggle of Black People for self-government. Read all of the available information and be able to expound on the following questions and issues.
(1) Have Black People in the United States experienced the civil and political freedoms We have a right to experience?
(2) Have Black People in the United States experienced the economic, social and cultural rights that naturally belong to Us?
(3) Do you have a clear understanding of what self-determination is?
(4) Has the United States taken the necessary steps to adopt measures that would put it in compliance with the laws of the United Nations in regard to Black People?
1. All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
Article 2
2. Where not already provided for by existing legislative or other measures, each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to take the necessary steps, in accordance with its constitutional processes and with the provisions of the present Covenant, to adopt such other measures as may be necessary to give effect to the rights recognized in the present Covenant.
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Article 1 recognizes that self-determination is not a privilege, it is a right that every group of people have. Even if the struggle of Black People in this country were founded on a less substantial foundation, We could still demand to govern Ourselves and be within Our rights. But, Our demands are buttressed by one of the strongest arguments possible. We were militarily attacked, kidnapped and forcefully brought to this country, classified as chattel and worked against Our will without a semblance of reasonable compensation, raped, castrated, lynched and intimidated and, after all of that, denied the right to govern Ourselves after We had freed Ourselves from slavery. White america, indeed, committed one of the most heinous crimes in the history of humankind against Us, Black People.
We still have the right to determine Our political status and freely pursue economic, social and cultural developmental paths that will benefit Us as a race of people and better enable Us to contribute to the betterment of all peoples, wherever they may be. The law is on Our side. We must take advantage of the opportunities the law has made available to Us.
By virtue of Article 2, the United States government is obligated to not interfere with Our efforts to educate Black People about and prepare Black People for self-government. We have the right to express and enjoy Our civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights in the manner We choose, and there is nothing the United States can legally do to stop Us.
Please review this information and give it some additional thought.