The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
A Global Charter for Dignity: Exploring the foundational document that defines inherent rights and freedoms for all humanity.
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What is the UDHR?
A Landmark Document
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an international document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. It enshrines the fundamental rights and freedoms inherent to all human beings, regardless of nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status.
Global Standard
Adopted on 10 December 1948, the UDHR serves as a "common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations." It comprises 30 articles detailing basic rights and freedoms, forming a cornerstone of international human rights law and inspiring subsequent legal instruments and national constitutions.
Inherent & Universal
The Declaration asserts that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Its universalist language transcends specific cultures, political systems, or religions, making it a globally recognized benchmark for human dignity and justice.
Structure and Content
Foundational Principles
The UDHR is structured with a preamble and 30 articles. The preamble outlines the historical context and the necessity for establishing universal rights. Articles 1 and 2 lay the groundwork, emphasizing dignity, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Individual Rights
Articles 3 through 11 establish fundamental individual rights, including the right to life, liberty, security, prohibition of slavery and torture, and guarantees of legal recourse. They underscore the basic protections essential for personal autonomy.
Community and State
Articles 12 through 17 define the rights of individuals within their community and state. These include freedoms of movement and residence, the right to nationality, the right to asylum, and the right to property, reflecting the interplay between the individual and society.
Civil, Political, and Socioeconomic Rights
Articles 18 through 27 articulate civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. This encompasses freedoms of thought, religion, expression, association, and participation in government, alongside rights to healthcare, education, and an adequate standard of living.
Binding the Framework
The final articles (28-30) serve as the "pediment," binding the Declaration together. They emphasize the right to a social and international order where rights can be realized, the duty of the individual to society, and the prohibition of actions contrary to the UN's purposes.
Historical Context and Drafting
Post-War Imperative
Emerging from the devastation of World War II and the horrors of the Holocaust, there was a global consensus on the need to define and protect fundamental human rights. The UN Charter itself committed member states to promoting universal respect for human rights.
The Drafting Committee
Chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt, a diverse committee comprising representatives from various national, religious, and political backgrounds was tasked with drafting the Declaration. Key figures included John Peters Humphrey (principal drafter), Renรฉ Cassin, P.C. Chang, and Charles Malik, each contributing unique perspectives.
Adoption and Abstentions
The Declaration was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948, with 48 member states voting in favour, none against, and eight abstaining. The abstentions reflected diverse political and religious viewpoints, including concerns about secularism, individual versus collective rights, and specific articles like freedom of religion and movement.
International Human Rights Day
The anniversary of the UDHR's adoption, December 10th, is celebrated annually as International Human Rights Day. This day serves to promote awareness and reaffirm commitment to the principles enshrined in the Declaration, often marked by global campaigns and observances.
Impact and Influence
Foundational Significance
The UDHR is considered a milestone document, serving as the first step in the formulation of the International Bill of Human Rights. Its universalist language and comprehensive scope have profoundly influenced legal, political, and social developments worldwide.
Legal and Constitutional Impact
While not legally binding itself, the UDHR's principles have been incorporated into or inspired over 90 national constitutions drafted since 1948. Many national courts and legal systems reference the Declaration, treating it as customary international law or a guiding interpretive document.
Global Reach
The UDHR is the world's most translated document, available in over 560 languages. This extensive translation effort underscores its global reach and its role as a shared standard for human dignity across diverse cultures and societies.
Praise and Support
Endorsements from Leaders
Notable figures have lauded the UDHR. Eleanor Roosevelt described it as potentially becoming the "international Magna Carta of all men everywhere." Lebanese diplomat Charles Malik called it an "international document of the first order of importance."
International Recognition
The UN World Conference on Human Rights (1993) reaffirmed commitment to the UDHR's principles. Pope John Paul II called it "one of the highest expressions of the human conscience of our time." The European Union has recognized it as placing human rights at the core of international relations.
NGO Support
Major human rights organizations like Amnesty International and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) actively promote the UDHR and observe Human Rights Day. Educational initiatives often use the Declaration to teach young people about their rights.
Criticisms and Debates
Western Bias Concerns
Critics, including the American Anthropological Association during drafting, have raised concerns about the UDHR reflecting a Western, secular paradigm. Some argue that its emphasis on individual rights may not fully align with collective or family values in certain cultures, particularly within Muslim-majority nations.
Islamic Perspectives
While many Muslim-majority nations initially adopted the UDHR, Saudi Arabia abstained, citing conflicts with Sharia law, particularly regarding freedom of religion and equality in marriage. The Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam (1990) emerged as an alternative framework, emphasizing rights within an Islamic legal context.
Electoral vs. Sortition Democracy
Article 21, which links the will of the people to elections, has been criticized by proponents of sortition (selection by lottery). They argue that this article unduly privileges electoral democracy and overlooks historical models like Athenian democracy, where sortition played a significant role.
Right to Refuse to Kill
Advocacy groups like Amnesty International and War Resisters International have called for the explicit inclusion of "The Right to Refuse to Kill" (conscientious objection to military service) within the UDHR, arguing it is implicitly supported by Article 18's guarantee of freedom of thought and conscience.
References
Source Citations
The information presented here is derived from the comprehensive Wikipedia article on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Detailed citations are managed programmatically.
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References
References
- United Nations headquarters in New York would not be complete until 1952, after which it became the permanent seat of the General Assembly.
- UDHR Booklet, Art. 2.
- Henry J Steiner and Philip Alston, International Human Rights in Context: Law, Politics, Morals (2nd ed.), Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.
- United Nations, Universal Declarations of Human Rights
- Bodnar, John, The "Good War" in American Memory. (Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2010) 11
- Morsink 1999, p.ย 4
- Morsink 1999, p.ย 5
- Morsink 1999, p.ย 133
- A. J. Hobbins, ed., On the Edge of Greatness: The Diaries of John Humphrey, First Director of the United Nations Division of Human Rights (Montreal: McGill University Press, 1984), 1:174
- Jain, Devaki (2005). Women, Development and the UN. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. p. 20
- Katharine G. Young (2009), "Freedom, Want and Economic and Social Rights: Frame and Law", Maryland Journal of International Law 24(182) (Symposium on 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
- R. Lallah, 2 Judicial Colloquium in Bangalore, Developing Human Rights Jurisprudence, The Domestic Application of International Human Rights Norms 33 (London, Commonwealth Secretariat, 1998)
- Portuguese Constitution, article 16(2); Romanian Constitution, article 20(1); Sao Tome and Principe Constitution, article 17(2); Spanish Constitution, article 10(2).
- Beth Andrus, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948รขยย1988: Human Rights, The United Nations and Amnesty International 10รขยย11 (Amnesty International U.S.A. Legal Support Network, 1988). A
- G. Christenson, "Using Human Rights Law to Inform Due Process and Equal Protection Analyses", University of Cincinnati Law Review 52 (1983), p. 3.
- "Information Partners". UNHCR. Accessed 25 February 2010.
- Price 1999, p.ย 163
- Hashemi, Nader and Qureshi, Emran. "Human Rights". In The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World. Oxford Islamic Studies Online.
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