Here in America, when we hear about the United Nations, we often raise our backs and worry about our sovereignty as a nation being threatened. Due to this, we know very little about certain things that the United Nations does.
Because of this, some Americans may not know what The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is. This post is to provide information and understanding concerning this very thing.
What Is The Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
The United Nations became the organization it is today in the aftermath of WWII on October 24, 1945. The purpose was to save future generations from the devastation of international conflict.
This was the beginning of the fight for human rights for all.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR for short) is a major document in the in the history of human rights.
It was drafted by legal representatives from many different countries, cultures, and and legal backgrounds in the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. It is and was viewed as a common standard for all peoples and for all nations.
There are 437 different translations of the UDHR and it is available in PDF and HTML formats.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
There are thirty articles, not including the preamble, of the UDHR. (For the full UDHR, see here.)
Those articles state that:
- Human beings are all born equal and free. They are born intelligent and a sense of right and wrong, and we should all act towards one another in the spirit of kindness and unity.
- Every single person is entitled to all the rights outlined in the UDHR. There is not any reason that anyone should be denied any of these rights.
- Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and being safe.
- Slavery and servitude are prohibited and no one will be held as a slave or servant.
- No one will be punished inhumane treatment, cruelty, torture, or degrading treatment.
- Everyone has the right to be seen as a person before the law.
- All are equal before the law and all are entitled to against protection against any discrimination.
- Everyone has the right to challenge any treatment that may be in violation of the law or rights.
- (1st part of article 11) Everyone charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty.
- (2nd part of article 11) No one shall be guilty of a crime because of an act that was not a crime. A harsher punishment will not be imposed than one that was justified at the time the crime was committed.
- Everyone has rights to privacy in their home, mail, and correspondence. They will not have their reputations or honor attacked. Everyone has the right to protection of the law with both of these.
- (1st part of article 13) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
- (2nd part of article 13) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
These are just the first thirteen articles of the UDHR. There are more and they go into asylum, nationality, participation in culture, and so forth.
Much like the United States’ Constitution, but it covers a broader spectrum of rights in a clear and concise manner.
This is the work that the UN does, and this is work that is sorely needed. Let us know your thoughts at the Liberal America Facebook page.
