When you single out any particular group of people for secondary citizenship status, that's a violation of basic human rights.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes that depriving any group of people of equal rights is a fundamental breach of human rights principles.
Jimmy Carter's quote addresses the critical issue of equality and human rights by asserting that elevating one group over others in terms of citizenship status is inherently unjust. It highlights the principle that all individuals, regardless of their background, deserve equal rights and recognition, and that any form of discrimination undermines the very foundation of human dignity and freedoms.
In practice
This quote can be used in a social justice seminar to underscore the importance of equal rights.
Acknowledging the physical realities of our planet does not mean a dismal future of endless sacrifice. In fact, acknowledging these realities is the first step in dealing with them. We can meet the resource problems of the world - water, food, minerals, farmlands, forests, overpopulation, pollution - if we tackle them with courage and foresight.
The preeminent obstacle to peace is Israel's colonization of Palestine.
I would say the biggest handicap we have right now is some nutcases in our country that don't believe in global warming. I think they are going to change their position because of pressure from individuals, because the evidence of the ravages of global warming is already there.
If I were president, I'd be very glad to see the Palestinians have a nation recognized by the United Nations. There's no downside to it.
My understanding of racial discrimination as a child was highly distorted because the most prominent man in Archery was an African-American bishop. When he came home from up north, where he was in charge of A.M.E. churches in five states, it was front-page news. He was the most successful man in my life.
Our American values are not luxuries but necessities, not the salt in our bread, but the bread itself. Our common vision of a free and just society is our greatest source of cohesion at home and strength abroad, greater than the bounty of our material blessings.
Yes, I am very unhappy, extremely anguished at human rights violations against Kashmiris in India or against Rohingyas in Burma or, for that matter, Christians in Orissa; but obviously, I am going to be more concerned of violations taking place in my own house because I am closer to the people who I live with. I have more passion for them.
Stateless people are hidden. During the 2011 refugee crises, it was obvious that people were fleeing Somalia and Libya - there was a lot of international attention. Statelessness goes undetected because stateless people are in legal limbo and are afraid to show up.
I believe in human rights for everyone, and none of us is qualified to judge each other and that none of us should therefore have that authority.
No practice or tradition trumps the human rights that belong to all of us.
I address a strong appeal from my heart that the dignity and safety of the worker always be protected.
On the question of comfort women, when my thought goes to these people, who have been victimized by human trafficking and gone through immeasurable pain and suffering beyond description, my heart aches. And on this point, my thought has not changed at all from previous prime ministers.
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