Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. It consists of 30 articles that outline the fundamental human rights to be universally protected. This document plays a crucial role in international law, especially regarding human rights.

Introduction to Human Rights

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death. They apply regardless of nationality, sex, ethnic origin, religion, language, or any other status. The UDHR serves as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and nations.

The Principles of the UDHR

The UDHR is based on several key principles:

Universality: Human rights are universal and apply to all individuals.
Inalienability: Human rights cannot be taken away or given up.
Indivisibility: All rights are equally important and cannot be ranked.
Interdependence: The fulfillment of one right can depend on the fulfillment of others.

Articles 1-15 of the UDHR

Article 1: Right to Equality

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. This article establishes the foundation for the human rights that follow.

Article 2: Freedom from Discrimination

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Declaration, without distinction of any kind.

Article 3: Right to Life, Liberty, and Security

Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the security of person.

Article 4: Freedom from Slavery

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5: Freedom from Torture

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6: Right to Recognition

Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7: Equality Before the Law

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.

Article 8: Right to Remedy

Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights.

Article 9: Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10: Right to a Fair Trial

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal.

Article 11: Right to Presumption of Innocence

Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Article 12: Right to Privacy

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence.

Article 13: Right to Freedom of Movement

Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.

Article 14: Right to Asylum

Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.

Article 15: Right to a Nationality

Everyone has the right to a nationality.

Visualizing Human Rights Principles

graph TD; A[Human Rights Principles] --> B[Universality]; A --> C[Inalienability]; A --> D[Indivisibility]; A --> E[Interdependence]; B --> F[Applies to All]; C --> G[Cannot Be Taken Away]; D --> H[Equally Important]; E --> I[Depends on Each Other];

Conclusion of the First Half

Understanding these articles is crucial for grasping the overall framework of human rights as established by the UDHR, which continues to influence international human rights law.

Articles 16-30 of the UDHR

Article 16: Right to Marriage and Family

Men and women of full age have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage, and at its dissolution.

For more in-depth analysis, consider reading this book on family law.

Article 17: Right to Own Property

Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

For detailed insights, check out this book on property law.

Article 18: Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief.

Learn more by reading this book on religious freedom.

Article 19: Freedom of Opinion and Expression

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media.

Article 20: Right to Peaceful Assembly and Association

Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 21: Right to Participate in Government

Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

Article 22: Right to Social Security

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international cooperation, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 23: Right to Work and Fair Conditions

Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work, and to protection against unemployment.

For a deeper understanding, consider this book on labor law.

Article 24: Right to Rest and Leisure

Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25: Right to Adequate Living Standard

Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care.

Article 26: Right to Education

Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages.

Article 27: Right to Participate in Cultural Life

Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

Article 28: Right to a Social and International Order

Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Article 29: Duties to the Community

Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.

Article 30: No Discrimination in Rights

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation.

Visualizing the Second Half of the UDHR

graph TD; A[Human Rights Articles] --> B[Article 16: Marriage]; A --> C[Article 17: Property]; A --> D[Article 18: Religion]; A --> E[Article 19: Expression]; A --> F[Article 20: Assembly]; A --> G[Article 21: Government]; A --> H[Article 22: Social Security]; A --> I[Article 23: Work]; A --> J[Article 24: Leisure]; A --> K[Article 25: Living Standard]; A --> L[Article 26: Education]; A --> M[Article 27: Culture]; A --> N[Article 28: Social Order]; A --> O[Article 29: Community Duties]; A --> P[Article 30: No Discrimination];

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights represents a significant milestone in the recognition of human rights. Its articles continue to inspire global human rights treaties and conventions, shaping international law.