[21] In international law human rights are traceable back to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948. It is true, however, that the notion of human rights pre-dates 1948 by more than a century. In 1776 Thomas Jefferson made a momentous declaration in the following words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness10.” In the contemporary statement of human rights the words “inalienable” and “equal” are pervasive. [22] It is said that freedom of speech includes “political discourse, commentary on one’s own affairs and on public affairs, canvassing, discussing on human rights, journalism, cultural and artistic expression, teaching and religious discourse. It also embraces expression that may be regarded by some as deeply offensive”11. The net is obviously very wide and has been recently proclaimed to include the internet. 12 10 These words became part of the American Declaration of Independence and have been echoed numerous times, including the 14th Amendment which gave Black Americans full citizenship in the United States of America. 11 See Note 8 above, at page 2. The authors make reference to the United Nations Human Rights Committee General Comment No. 34 on the ICCPR. 12 A/HRC/32/ L20 (2016) at para 1. 16