China's president indicated yesterday (read the story here) that his country wasn't going to change its stance on human rights. Congressional leaders such as Speaker Boehner, and Representative Pelosi, both urged China to commit to better preserving human rights. Hu said that the US should respect cultural differences and let them deal with their issues their way.
Something about that answer just doesn't sit well with most Americans. Aren't these rights supposed to be for everyone? And isn't everyone supposed to benefit from a government that protects them?
That depends on the answer to the question of where rights come from. One theory holds that (and is held by the Chinese communists) rights come from the government (just look at all the new rights we suddenly get: patients bill or rights, student's bill of rights, etc.). The problem with these rights is that the government who granted them in the first place, can take the "rights" away at any time.
Rights shouldn't be quite that transitory. In fact, they shouldn't be transitory at all!
The other theory holds that God gives rights (which is why the communists don't accept it). These rights predate and exist in the absence of governments. Life, liberty and property, for instance, provide a great example. They are so simple that even a two year old understands them. She knows that she is alive, can choose what she wants to do (even if she can't choose the consequences), and most certainly understands the concept of "mine."
These are not transitory or temporary rights; they exist with every human being from cradle to grave.
A simple test to see whether something is an actual right; just ask the question: "If the government weren't here, would I still have this right?" If the answer is no, then that "right" isn't really a right. If the answer is yes, then it is an actual, God given right.
Take the Swiss Family Robinson for instance. When they were suddenly stuck on a deserted island with no government, what rights did they still have? They certainly couldn't get welfare checks, government funds to pay for education, nor could they get Obamacare. They were able to: live, choose what to do, and obtain possessions (property).
If that is the definition of a right, then the Chinese people have these rights regardless of the existence of a government which doesn't allow for their full exercise. So when the Chinese government silences political opponents, jails political dissidents, and forces abortions on its citizens, those issues are not cultural: those issues violate what it means to be a living, breathing, human being.
Let's hope (and call for and encourage) that while President Obama works his salesmanship wonders to China, that he can persuade them to recognize and allow these basic human rights.
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