Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948

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Universal Declarationof Human Rights (1948)

• Rels 401 / Wmns 411

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Preamble

• Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and
  of the equal and inalienable rights of all
  members of the human family is the foundation of
  freedom, justice and peace in the world,
• Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights
  have resulted in barbarous acts which have
  outraged the conscience of mankind, and the
  advent of a world in which human beings shall
  enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom
  from fear and want has been proclaimed as the
  highest aspiration of the common people,

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• Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be
  compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to
  rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that
  human rights should be protected by the rule of
  law,
• Whereas it is essential to promote the
  development of friendly relations between
  nations,
• Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in
  the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental
  human rights, in the dignity and worth of the
  human person and in the equal rights of men and
  women and have determined to promote social
  progress and better standards of life in larger
  freedom,

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• Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to
  achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations,
  the promotion of universal respect for and
  observance of human rights and fundamental
  freedoms,
• Whereas a common understanding of these rights
  and freedoms is of the greatest importance for
  the full realization of this pledge,

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Now, Therefore, The General Assembly proclaims

• This Universal Declaration Of Human Rights as a
  common standard of achievement for all peoples
  and all nations, to the end that every individual
  and every organ of society, keeping this
  Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by
  teaching and education to promote respect for
  these rights and freedoms and by progressive
  measures, national and international, to secure
  their universal and effective recognition and
  observance, both among the peoples of Member
  States themselves and among the peoples of
  territories under their jurisdiction.

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• Equal
• does not mean that we are all the same.
• Each of us is different in our own special way.
  But we also have the common qualities that make
  us all humans.
• So each of us should be treated with respect and
  dignity and treat others in the same way.

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• Discrimination
• is any distinction, exclusion, restriction or
  preference based on race, colour, sex, language,
  religion, opinion, descent, or national or ethnic
  origin which discourages or prevents equal
  recognition, enjoyment or exercise of human
  rights and fundamental freedoms in the political,
  economic, social, cultural or any other field of
  public life.

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• liberty
• is freedom in the public sphere, freedom from
  captivity, oppression or despotic rule.

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• Exploitation
• The weakest and poorest members of society are
  often the target of exploitation.
• This article protects all members of society from
  a state of servitude, which is the exploitation
  of humans by other humans.

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• Cruel, inhuman
• or degrading treatment
• include such practices as corporal punishment,
  pain-causing devices, interrogation under duress,
  biomedical experiments on prisoners, the use of
  drugs on prisoners, and solitary confinement.

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• You should be legally protected in the same way
  everywhere, and like everyone else.

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• The principle of
• equality before the law is especially important
  for groups that are in the minority, such as
  indigenous people, or groups that have less
  political or other power, such as
• the poor.

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• While the law and the constitution may provide
  you with fundamental rights, this does not mean
  that these will always be respected in every
  case.
• If a certain right is violated, you must always
  be able to turn or appeal to a 'competent' court.

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• Arbitrary arrest and detention are sometimes used
  by intolerant groups and governments as a way of
  suppressing dissent.
• Arbitrary arrest and detention often may be
  followed by the wrongful treatment or torture of
  a detainee.

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• If you go on trial this should be done in public.
• The people who try you should not let themselves
  be influenced by others.

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• You should be considered innocent until it can be
  proved that you are guilty. If you are accused of
  a crime, you should always have the right to
  defend yourself.
• Nobody has the right to condemn you and punish
  you for something you have not done.

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• If someone hurts you, you have the right to go to
  another country and ask it to protect you.

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• Marriage customs and family laws are different
  from place to place.
• Some cultures value large families, others value
  small ones.
• But you should be able to choose who you marry,
  and your country is obliged to protect this right
  and your family.

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• Tolerance is
• acceptance of others with mutual respect and
  understanding.
• The UNs Declaration of Principles on Tolerance
  defines tolerance as an active attitude and a
  responsibility that upholds human rights,
  pluralism (including cultural pluralism),
  democracy and the rule of law.

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• As part of your community, you have an obligation
  to help others if you can do so, so that if you
  yourself get sick, or lose your job or your home,
  or grow old and can no longer work, you will have
  help, too.
• It is up to each of us as well as the nations of
  the world to use the resources of society to
  ensure that everyone has the minimum needed to
  lead a dignified life.

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• You have the right to work, to be free to choose
  your work, to get a salary which allows you to
  support your family.
• If a man and a woman do the same work, they
  should get the same pay. All people who work have
  the right to join together to defend their
  interests.

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• You have the right to basic human needs of food,
  shelter, clothing, household requirements and
  community services in respect to water,
  sanitation, health, and education.
• Those who are in greatest need should be
  considered first and development objectives
  should give priority to the poorest the most
  underprivileged.

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more on theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights

• UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTSAdopted by
  UN General Assembly Resolution 217A (III) of 10
  December 1948
• http//www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/humanrights/resou
  rces/universal.asp
• (Plain language version http//www.un.org/cybers
  choolbus/humanrights/resources/plain.asp )