Understanding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

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

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

Did you know?

"The Rights of Man", written by H. G. Wells, was published in England in 1940 as a response to WWII. The ideas presented in the book greatly influenced the creation of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as the European Convention on Human Rights, and the UK’s Human Rights Act. (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/550190/the-rights-of-man-by-hg-wells/)

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

Innate freedom & equality
Ban on discrimination
Right to life
Ban on slavery
Ban on torture
Right to recognition as a person before the law
Equality before the law
Right to effective judiciary
Ban on arbitrary detention
Right to public hearing
Right to presumption of innocence
Right to privacy
Right to freedom of movement
Right to asylum
Right to a nationality

Right to marriage & family
Right to own property
Right to freedom of thought & religion
Right to freedom of opinion & expression
Right to freedom of assembly & association
Right to take part in government
Right to social security
Right to work
Right to rest
Right to an adequate standard of living
Right to education
Right to participate in cultural life
Right to a social and international order
Duties & limitations
Salvatory clause

Did you know?

In May 2011, United Nations Special Rapporteur Frank La Rue submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Council which essentially declared internet access as a human right. (https://techland.time.com/2011/06/07/united-nations-report-declares-internet-access-a-human-right/)

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

Understanding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

History of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Did you know?

The drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Did you know?

Take Action

This Byte has been authored by

Tressa Thompson