<P> The Declaration is introduced by a preamble describing the fundamental characteristics of the rights which are qualified as being "natural, unalienable and sacred" and consisting of "simple and incontestable principles" on which citizens could base their demands . In the second article, "the natural and imprescriptible rights of man" are defined as "liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression". It called for the destruction of aristocratic privileges by proclaiming an end to feudalism and to exemptions from taxation, freedom and equal rights for all "Men", and access to public office based on talent . The monarchy was restricted, and all citizens were to have the right to take part in the legislative process . Freedom of speech and press were declared, and arbitrary arrests outlawed . </P> <P> The Declaration also asserted the principles of popular sovereignty, in contrast to the divine right of kings that characterized the French monarchy, and social equality among citizens, "All the citizens, being equal in the eyes of the law, are equally admissible to all public dignities, places, and employments, according to their capacity and without distinction other than that of their virtues and of their talents," eliminating the special rights of the nobility and clergy . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section is a candidate to be copied to Wikisource . If the section can be edited into encyclopedic content, rather than merely a copy of the source text, please do so and remove this message . Otherwise, you can help by formatting it per the Wikisource guidelines in preparation for the duplication . </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section is a candidate to be copied to Wikisource . If the section can be edited into encyclopedic content, rather than merely a copy of the source text, please do so and remove this message . Otherwise, you can help by formatting it per the Wikisource guidelines in preparation for the duplication . </Td> </Tr>

Declaration of the rights of man list of rights