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Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 in the aftermath of World War II, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the first internationally recognized agreement on the basic rights of all peoples. Today the Declaration serves as International Law and plays an integral role in the involvement of the UN and other organizations in response to humanitarian disasters, whether caused by nature or by mankind.

The Declaration consists of a Preamble and 30 Articles; Eleanor Roosevelt played a hand in its inception, arguing against making the document an international treaty, and instead in favor of one similar to the United States’ Declaration of Independence in order to have a greater global influence.

For the countries that have adopted the Declaration, the Preamble serves as a commitment to preserving the fundamental rights inherent to any individual, pledging to take action whether at home or abroad, recognizing that inequalities and failure to adhere to the inalienable rights of each person are the pathways to injustice and violence. The Preamble recognizes freedom of speech, freedom from fear, and freedom of belief as the fundamental rights all human beings should enjoy to ensure universal social progress and better quality of life.

Article 1 sets the tone for the Declaration, stating that all humans are created equal, deserving dignity that should allow them to serve their fellow man. Article 2 continues by stating that all humans are entitled to protection under the Declaration of Human Rights, without exceptions.

The next several articles explain every human’s right to life, liberty, and security, free from the atrocities of slavery and torture, with full rights before the law without discrimination on any basis and the necessity of a fair justice system. Similar to the United States’ Declaration of Independence, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes that all accused persons are innocent until proven guilty and should enjoy freedom from attacks on part of the law.

In the following articles, the themes of right to property, right to nationality and ability to relocate, as well as right to asylum in another country are covered. Issues of marriage are included, explaining every person’s right to marry whom they wish with full consent, as well as other basic freedoms such as thought, religion, opinion and expression.

Societal matters round out the Declaration, stating that all persons have the right to take part in the government and have access to public services. The rights to work, earn fair wages, and enjoy leisure time are also included.

Finally, the rights to an adequate standard of living and good health, a quality education, and the right to participate fully in culture, encounter technology and human advancement, and social order bring the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to a close.

In commemoration of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, December 10^th is officially recognized as Human Rights Day, and is recognized across the world by the United Nations, individual countries, religious groups, NGOs, human rights organizations, and more!

If you’re interested in reading the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its entirety, be sure to check out: www.un.org/en/documents/udhr

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