Human rights are basic standards of life to which all people are entitled simply because they are human.

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History of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Following World War II, the United Nations (UN) was created. As part of this creation, it was decided that the rights of every individual everywhere should be defined. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created to define what rights should be guaranteed to every person on the planet, without exception.

On 10 December 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was formally adopted by the UN.

Byte Author Uploaded Image Eleanor Roosevelt and Human Rights Declaration

The drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Byte Author Uploaded Image Dr. Charles Malik (Lebanon)

Byte Author Uploaded Image Dr. Peng-chun Chang (China)

Byte Author Uploaded Image Eleanor Roosevelt (US)

Byte Author Uploaded Image William Hodgson (Australia)

Byte Author Uploaded Image John P. Humphrey (Canada)

Byte Author Uploaded Image Alexandre Bogomolov (USSR)

Byte Author Uploaded Image René Cassin (France)

Byte Author Uploaded Image Charles Dukes (United Kingdom)

Byte Author Uploaded Image Hernan Santa Cruz (Chile)

The 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

  1. Innate freedom & equality

  2. Ban on discrimination

  3. Right to life

  4. Ban on slavery

  5. Ban on torture

  6. Right to recognition as a person before the law

  7. Equality before the law

  8. Right to effective judiciary

  9. Ban on arbitrary detention

  10. Right to public hearing

  11. Right to presumption of innocence

  12. Right to privacy

  13. Right to freedom of movement

  14. Right to asylum

  15. Right to a nationality

  1. Right to marriage & family

  2. Right to own property

  3. Right to freedom of thought & religion

  4. Right to freedom of opinion & expression

  5. Right to freedom of assembly & association

  6. Right to take part in government

  7. Right to social security

  8. Right to work

  9. Right to rest

  10. Right to an adequate standard of living

  11. Right to education

  12. Right to participate in cultural life

  13. Right to a social and international order

  14. Duties & limitations

  15. Salvatory clause

Take Action

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides the framework for a standard of life to which all people should have access.

How are these rights upheld or not upheld in different areas of the world?

Do you agree with the 30 human rights listed in the Declaration? Are there any rights that you would add, delete, or alter?

Byte Author Uploaded Image Image by Pat Lyn at publicdomainpictures.net

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