Extra Activity

1. Read the two case histories below and decide which offences Jack and Annette have committed: Two Cases

Jack Thatcher

Like his father, Jack Thatcher is a jailbird – at the age of 40 he has spent most of his life in prison for various offences of violence and theft. He comes from a broken home, has had no real education and has never had a job. The only way he knows how to make money is by stealing it. When he came out of prison last week, he decided to rob a village post office. During the robbery, the postmaster tried to ring the alarm, so Jack hit him on the head with his gun. At that moment a customer came into the post office. She screamed. In panic, Jack shouted at her to keep quiet. When she continued to scream, he shot her. Jack thought quickly. He took a box of matches from his pocket and set fire to the building, then escaped with the money.

Annette Forbes

Annette Forbes is head of the marketing division of GMS, the com­puter company. She went to university, has a good job and enjoys a happy family. She has always been a ''law-abiding citizen". One day she arrived a little late for work, and had to park her car in a no-parking zone. She took a client out for a business lunch and drank a gin and tonic, half a bottle of wine and a liqueur to celebrate an important new contract. When driving back to work, she was stopped by a policeman, who tested her breath for alco­hol. He told her she had drunk too much and would be disqualified from driving for a year. Annette (who needs her car for her job) suggested he might "forget" about the offence in return for a brand GMC home computer. That afternoon, Annette remembered that she had no more writing-paper at home. As usual, she took a new packet of paper from the office and a box of six pencils.

1. If they are charged and convicted of all their offences, what sentences do you think Jack and Annette will receive?

2. In your opinion, what is the most suitable punishment for Jack and Annette?

3. Do you think they will commit other offences in future?

2. Read the following phrase carefully and say how the criminal betrayed himself.

“It wasn’t me. I look like a lot of guys. I have never been near the dentist’s office. This Robbins, I bet he has never seen me, so can you prove?”

Read for Enjoyment He Earned his Dollar

The judge looked sternly over his eye-glasses at the man who had been brought before him on a charge of vagrancy (бродяжничество)

"Have you ever earned a dollar in your life?" he asked with scorn (презрение).

"Yes, Your Honour", was the answer." I voted for you at the last election".

* * *

First juror: ”We shouldn’t be here very long. One look at those two fellows convinces me that they are guilty.”

Second juror: “Not so loud, you fool! That’s counsel for the prosecution and counsel for the defence!”

SUPPLEMENTARY I. Home reading

TEXT 1

I. Read the following text and answer the questions. Categories of Human Rights

Human rights can be classified into various categories. The most current distinction is that between civil and political rights on the one hand, and economic, social and cultural rights on the other. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights comprises these two major categories of human rights in one document. However, when the other component parts of the international Bill of Human Rights were elaborated, it was decided to split these two categories of human rights into two separate documents, an International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and an International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The rationale for this division was that the two sets of rights differed in nature-one category of rights was subject to immediate application, whereas the other category required progressive realization - and that therefore different implementation measures were called for.

It is, however, questionable whether a clear distinction can be made between civil and political rights, and economic, social and cultural rights. At least there should be no misunderstanding that both Covenants entail legal undertakings on the part of States parties. The preambles of both Covenants underline the conceptual interdependence of both categories of human rights by explicitly recognizing that, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ideal of free human beings enjoying freedom from fear and want can only be achieved if conditions are created whereby everyone may enjoy his economic, social and cultural rights as well as his civil and political rights. Moreover, many United Nations pronouncements emphasize the indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights. Thus, for example, the Declaration on the Right to Development 1986) states:

All human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivisible and interdependent; equal attention and urgent consideration should be given to the implementation, promotion and protection of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.

In this overview, the broad range of human rights will not be spelled out in detail. By way of general indication it is recalled that among the civil and political rights are counted: the rights pertaining to the life, integrity, liberty and security of the human person; the rights with respect to the administration of justice; the right to privacy; the rights to freedom of religion or belief and to freedom of opinion and expression; freedom of movement; the right to assembly and association; and the right to political participation. Economic, social and cultural rights include: the right to work; trade union freedoms; the right to an adequate standard of living, including food, clothing and housing; the right to health care; the right to education; and the right to take part in cultural life.

All these rights are contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and are further defined in the subsequent component parts of the international Bill of Human Rights and in a number of more specific international instruments. They all confirm the notion already included in the Charter of the United Nations and reaffirmed in the Universal Declaration that all persons are entitled to these rights, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. The significance and scope of this principle of non-discrimination is further highlighted by the provision contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that all persons are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.

Why were human rights divided into two parts? What are the titles of the documents containing various categories of human rights?

How do the preambles of the Covenants underline the interdependence of categories of human rights?

What rights can be found among civil and political rights? Name some of them.

How is the principle of non-discrimination underlined in the Universal Declaration?