Diff: Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
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The '''Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)''' is a historic document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. It is the first comprehensive agreement on the basic principles of [[Human Rights|human rights]], setting the standard for how individuals and nations should treat each other and themselves. The UDHR is considered a foundational document in the field of human rights, providing a framework for international human rights law and serving as a common reference point for the protection of human rights globally. |
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The '''Universal Declaration of Human Rights''' ('''UDHR''') is a United Nations declaration adopted by the General Assembly on 10 December 1948. It sets out 30 articles describing basic rights and freedoms that apply to all people. |
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== Overview == |
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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights consists of a preamble and 30 articles. It was drafted by representatives from various countries and adopted unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly. The UDHR is not legally binding, but it has influenced the development of international human rights law and has been incorporated into the domestic laws and constitutions of many countries. It is also the basis for the International Bill of Human Rights, which includes the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). |
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The UDHR was adopted after the Second World War and became the best-known statement of modern human rights principles. It is not itself a treaty, but it shaped later binding human rights instruments, national constitutions, regional systems and political campaigning. |
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== Articles == |
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== Background == |
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The United Nations was created in 1945, after the Second World War. The experience of war, genocide, mass displacement and authoritarian government shaped the move towards an international statement of rights. |
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=== Preamble === |
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The preamble of the UDHR sets the context and principles of the Declaration, emphasising the inherent dignity and equal rights of all human beings. It recognises that the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world depends on the recognition of the inherent dignity and equal rights of all members of the human family. |
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The declaration was drafted through the UN Commission on Human Rights, with Eleanor Roosevelt chairing the drafting committee. It was adopted by the General Assembly in Paris as Resolution 217 A (III) on 10 December 1948. |
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=== Articles 1-2: Human Dignity and Equality === |
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Article 1 states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Article 2 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status. |
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== Structure == |
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The declaration has a preamble and 30 articles. The preamble links human dignity, equal rights, freedom, justice and peace. The articles then set out rights covering personal liberty, equality before the law, political participation, social security, work, education and cultural life. |
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=== Articles 3-11: Life, Liberty, and Security of Person === |
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Articles 3-11 guarantee the right to life, liberty, and security of person. They include the right to recognition as a person before the law, the right to equality before the law, the right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and the right to freedom from slavery or servitude. |
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Articles 1 and 2 establish dignity, equality and non-discrimination. Later articles address life, liberty, slavery, torture, legal personality, fair trial, privacy, movement, asylum, nationality, family life, property, thought, religion, expression, assembly, government, work, rest, living standards, education and culture. |
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=== Articles 12-17: Privacy, Freedom of Movement, and Asylum === |
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Articles 12-17 protect the rights to privacy, freedom of movement, and asylum. They include the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state, the right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution, and the right to a nationality. |
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== Legal Status == |
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The UDHR is a declaration rather than a treaty. States did not ratify it in the same way as a covenant or convention. Its importance comes from political authority, later treaty development, national adoption and its role as a common standard. |
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=== Articles 18-21: Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion === |
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Articles 18-21 protect the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. They include the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and the right to take part in the government of one's country. |
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Many of its principles were later developed in binding treaties. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the [[International_Covenant_on_Economic,_Social_and_Cultural_Rights_(ICESCR)|International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights]] are central examples. |
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=== Articles 22-27: Social and Economic Rights === |
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Articles 22-27 protect social and economic rights. They include the right to social security, the right to work, the right to rest and leisure, the right to an adequate standard of living, the right to education, and the right to participate in cultural life. |
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== Main Themes == |
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The declaration treats rights as universal. It does not limit them to citizens of a particular state or members of a particular class. It also presents rights as connected. Civil liberties, political participation, social provision and cultural life are all part of the same framework. |
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=== Articles 28-30: Rights and Duties, Limits on Rights === |
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Articles 28-30 emphasise that everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in the Declaration can be fully realised. They also state that the rights and freedoms in the Declaration are subject to certain limitations as determined by law. |
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The declaration also recognises duties and limits. Article 29 refers to duties to the community and allows limits determined by law for purposes such as respecting the rights of others and meeting just requirements of morality, public order and general welfare in a democratic society. |
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== Legacy == |
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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has had a profound impact on human rights discourse and practice around the world. It has inspired the adoption of numerous international human rights treaties, regional human rights conventions, and national constitutions and laws. The principles and standards of the UDHR continue to guide the work of governments, civil society organisations, and individuals in promoting and protecting human rights. |
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== Influence == |
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The UDHR has influenced constitutions, laws, courts, education, advocacy and international treaties. It is often cited by governments, courts, campaigners, lawyers, academics and international bodies when discussing human dignity and state responsibility. |
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Its influence does not mean that every state follows it in practice. The declaration is frequently used as a measure for criticising torture, arbitrary detention, censorship, discrimination, political repression and denial of social rights. |
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== See Also == |
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* [[Human_Rights]] |
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* [[International_Covenant_on_Economic,_Social_and_Cultural_Rights_(ICESCR)]] |
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* [[United_Nations_Human_Rights_Office]] |
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* [[United_Nations]] |
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== References == |
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* [https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights United Nations: Universal Declaration of Human Rights] |
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* [https://www.ohchr.org/en/human-rights/universal-declaration/translations/english OHCHR: Universal Declaration of Human Rights] |
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* [https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2018/11/30-articles-30-articles-universal-declaration-human-rights OHCHR: 30 articles on the 30 Articles of the UDHR] |
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* [https://www.ohchr.org/en/video/2021/udhr-70-perspective OHCHR: UDHR perspective] |
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* [https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights OHCHR: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights] |
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* [https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-economic-social-and-cultural-rights OHCHR: International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights] |
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[[Category:Human rights]] |
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[[Category:United Nations]] |
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[[Category:International law]] |