5 - Os direitos humanos surgiram na África - Introdução às filosofias africanas do direito

Summary

The video explores the origins of human rights, emphasizing that the first universal declaration of human rights was not European but African, specifically from the Mali Empire in 1236. It challenges the traditional narrative of human rights, often linked to European documents like the Magna Carta and the French Declaration of Rights. The speaker highlights that the Mali Empire's declaration promoted universal rights, including liberty, equality, and fraternity, long before Europe adopted similar principles. This story, often overlooked in modern education, sheds light on Africa's significant contribution to global human rights philosophy.

Takeaways

• 😀 The concept of human rights, commonly thought to have originated in Europe, actually has African roots, specifically in the Mali Empire.
• 😀 The Mali Empire, around 1236, created the 'Carta de Mandem', a universal declaration of human rights predating European documents like the Magna Carta.
• 😀 The 'Carta de Mandem' was an inclusive human rights document, granting rights to all people, unlike European rights declarations, which were often limited to white, male citizens.
• 😀 The traditional narrative taught in legal studies often overlooks African contributions to the development of universal human rights.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that discussions about human rights often focus on the rights of the accused (like criminals) but here the focus is on the inherent dignity and rights of victims.
• 😀 The European-centered historical perspective on human rights fails to acknowledge the global scope of human rights ideas and their origins outside of Europe.
• 😀 Human rights as a philosophical concept evolved from African traditions and were later mirrored in European legal frameworks, though in a more restricted manner.
• 😀 The idea of human rights in Africa was universal from the start, encompassing all people, which contrasts sharply with the exclusionary nature of European early rights documents.
• 😀 The speaker criticizes the lack of awareness and teaching of the African origins of human rights, pointing out that this information is often hidden or ignored in academic circles.
• 😀 The speaker invites people to reconsider the established history of human rights, urging a more inclusive view that recognizes African contributions to modern legal and philosophical systems.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented in the transcript about the origins of human rights?

The transcript argues that the origins of human rights, as a universal concept, are found in Africa, specifically in the Mali Empire, and not in Europe, challenging the traditional Eurocentric narrative that places Europe as the birthplace of human rights.

What historical document does the speaker claim to be the first universal declaration of human rights?

The speaker claims that the first universal declaration of human rights is the Mandem Charter, created in 1236 in the Mali Empire, which advocated for universal rights, including liberty, equality, and fraternity.

How does the speaker critique the traditional European view of human rights?

The speaker critiques the European view by highlighting that documents like the Magna Carta, Bill of Rights, and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man were not truly universal, as they only granted rights to specific groups (e.g., white men) and excluded women and marginalized individuals.

What specific historical figures or events does the speaker mention to illustrate the exclusion of women from early human rights declarations?

The speaker mentions Olympe de Gouges, a French revolutionary who created the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen in 1791. She was executed by guillotine for advocating that women should have the same rights as men.

Why does the speaker refer to the Mali Empire as the richest in the world?

The speaker refers to the Mali Empire as the richest in the world because it had an immense wealth of gold and jewels, particularly under the rule of Emperor Mansa Musa, who is considered the wealthiest person to ever have lived.

What role did European and Muslim invaders play in the decline of the Mali Empire?

European and Muslim invaders eventually attacked and looted the Mali Empire, contributing to its decline despite the empire's wealth and prosperity.

How does the speaker connect the Mandem Charter to the broader philosophy of human rights?

The Mandem Charter is presented as a foundational document for the philosophy of human rights, emphasizing the universality of rights, dignity, and equality for all people, which were later concepts adopted in Europe but first articulated in Africa.

What does the speaker suggest is the reason why African contributions to human rights history are not widely taught?

The speaker suggests that African contributions to human rights are overlooked or obscured because Western education often focuses solely on European history, disregarding other global perspectives and achievements.

What is the speaker's opinion on how human rights documents like the Magna Carta were limited?

The speaker argues that human rights documents like the Magna Carta were limited in scope, as they primarily benefited white male property owners, excluding women, enslaved people, and other marginalized groups.

How does the speaker's personal background inform the tone and perspective of the lecture?

The speaker mentions that they are of mixed heritage, including European, African, and possibly Muslim ancestry, which informs their approach to presenting historical facts and rejecting any notion of bias against any particular group. The speaker emphasizes the importance of looking beyond Eurocentric perspectives to understand history.