Reflection on “Dirty Pretty Things”: Integration Paper
Tong (Zoey) Zhou
International Degree Completion: Trinity Western University
WRTG 101: Writing and Culture
Professor Simei Zhou
Mar. 18, 2022
Universal Declaration of Human Rights case in the movie "Dirty Pretty Things."
The film "Dirty Pretty Things" (2002) tells the narrative of two immigrants, Okwe and Senay, and how they are treated unfairly by London residents. Okwe, the film's protagonist, was previously a trustworthy doctor in Nigeria, but he was forced to leave to London after being wrongly accused by Nigeria's ruling elite. Later, he meets the film's second protagonist, Senay, who is hounded and molested by London cops for no apparent reason while in the city. They see how Londoners illegally sell the kidneys of immigrants in the city. They obtain their identities and travel to New York at the end of the film. Human beings are born with the same dignity and rights as other animals. Illegal immigrants, on the other hand, have no human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a useful tool for describing the inhumanity shown in the film "Dirty Pretty Things" in the following articles: article 3, article 9, and article 12.
Article 3 of UDHR delves into inhumanity for no-name immigrants, as seen in the film's illegal kidney removal. In more detail, Article 3 states that everyone, regardless of race, color, sex, national or social origin, property, birth, or other position, has the right to be free from unlawful attacks on their personal life. As Article 3 of the UDHR declares, "Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person" (United Nations, 1948). Clearly, the drafters of the UDHR would claim that the right to life of these illegal immigrants was violated since Article 3 applies to everyone and everyone has the right to exist in freedom and safety. Also this theory, life, liberty, and security are the most fundamental rights that a person has, particularly the right to life, which is a power with the content of life maintenance and life security and is the foundation for the exercise of all other rights; if a person's life is not guaranteed, all other rights lose their meaning. However, the film is about illegal immigrants who are denied the fundamental necessities of existence. As Okwe and Senay, are denied basic human rights. They are flushed down the drain if they die during surgery; their right to life is infringed upon. The lives of Senay and the other illegal immigrants in the film should not have been put in jeopardy (Dirty Pretty Things). Clearly, the drafters will demand that violations of their bodies cease and that their lives be secure and free in order to preserve Article 3 of the UDHR. Therefore, selling body parts for legal status, as Senay did, exposes the harsh treatment of illegal immigrants and denies them the right to life and liberty protection guaranteed by Article 3 of the UDHR.
Forced exile demonstrates the powers that be in Nigeria's breaches of Article 9 of the UDHR. In more detail, such unwarranted arrests are a serious violation of UDHR regulations. As the Article 9 states “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.” (United Nations, n.d.). Clearly, the UDHR drafter would assert that Okew’s rights are violated because of Article 9. However, the movie shows Okew had done nothing wrong, he was arrested without cause. As Okwe talks of having to flee Nigeria after the authorities firebombed his house resulting in the death of his wife. In the movie, An was shot. I was told to the evidence. I don't want to know. When I refused, my was fire bombed. My wife was inside. The me with her murder. I had to run." (Nigerian & okew). Clearly, Okew had a good family and a good work when he was hounded and abused just for refusing to make false claims for individuals in authority. For this reason, he lost his wife and home, and he was forced to move overseas. Therefore, Nigeria's rulers broke Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Okew's exile and framing are not legitimate.
Through Article 12 of the UDHR, invasion of privacy discloses British officers' personal infractions. In more detail, Article 12 states that no one's right to privacy should be interfered with. As the Article 12 states “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.” (United Nations, n.d.). Clearly, the UDHR drafter states that no one's right to privacy should be interfered with. However, the movie is not protecting the privacy. As enay’s house is searched by law enforcement officers without notice or permit. In addition, officers always harass Senay at her workplace. "We're looking for someone called Senay Gelik.”(London & Officer). Clearly, The London officials should not meddle with Senay's personal life or family. Therefore, Senay should have legal protection. According to article 12 of the UDHR, “everyone has rights, and illegal immigrants are included in that category.”
To summarize, the revisions to the Human Rights Act Everyone has the same amount of power. And worked to defend people's rights from being violated. These rights included the right to privacy as well as protection from arbitrary detention and deportation. Some of these injustices are highlighted in the film "Dirty Pretty Things." It brings them to light so that more people are aware of the disparities.
References
Stephen Frears. (2002). Dirty Pretty Things.