Rights & wrongs

David Robertson makes sweeping unsubstantiated statements about undefined groups he terms “elites’ while declaring that human rights is a “narrow fundamentalist religion” (Scotsman 200, 19 June) These elites, whoever they may be, are also accused of having no regard for the poor, an assertion Mr

Robertson does not trouble to validate. He suggests human rights are ill defined, when in fact they are clearly defined, for example, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and European Convention on Human Rights. These may not be perfect documents, but they have been ratified and adopted by the UK as part of a democratic process. It’s not clear why Mr Robertson thinks human rights are undemocratic – is it because one person erroneously told him he could not vote on abortion?

Article 2 of the UDHR protects his right to choose his religious convictions and Article 18 protects his right to follow his religion. He fully exercises those human rights and enjoys a great deal of freedom to promulgate his views in the pulpit, on the internet and in Holyrood committee rooms.

I suspect the real problem Mr Robertson has with human rights is their protection of others against discrimination (Article 7 of the UDHR), especially as he is outspoken in his opposition to equal marriage, gays in the ministry and inclusive education in schools. JEANNIE MACKENZIE

Gateside Place Johnstone, Kilbarchan