What is the UN Declaration of Human Rights?

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The UN Declaration of Human Rights is an international document that defines the basic rights and freedoms that belong to all people. The Declaration was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. It is a landmark document that has served as the basis for many national and international human rights laws and treaties.

Background and meaning of the declaration

After the horrors of World War II, the international community recognized the need to create a unified document that would define human rights and protect individuals from state arbitrariness. The UN Declaration of Human Rights is the first international document that defines human rights comprehensively and universally. It consists of 30 articles covering a wide range of rights and freedoms.

Key principles

The key principles of the UN Declaration of Human Rights can be summarized as follows:

  • Equality and non-discrimination: All people are born free and equal in value and rights.
  • Right to life, liberty and personal security: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security.
  • Right to a fair trial: Everyone has the right to a fair and public trial by an independent and impartial tribunal.
  • Right to privacy: Everyone has the right to respect for privacy, family life, home and correspondence.
  • Right to freedom of speech and expression of opinion: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and speech.
  • Right to education: Everyone has the right to education, and basic education should be free and compulsory.

Effect of declaration

The UN Declaration of Human Rights has had a significant impact on international law and human rights movements. It has served as the basis for many international agreements, such as:

  1. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
  2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
  3. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide

The Declaration has also inspired many national constitutions and legislation that protect human rights. Although the declaration is not legally binding, its moral and political impact has been enormous.

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