HUMAN RIGHTS
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Eleanor Roosevelt holding the English language version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an international document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
Regarded as one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges the UDHR is a landmark document that enshrines the inalienable rights and freedoms of ALL human beings.
Drafted by a UN committee of representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt, it was accepted by the General Assembly as Resolution 217 during its third session on 10 December 1948 at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, France.
It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into over 500 languages.
The Declaration consists of 30 articles detailing an individual's "basic rights and fundamental freedoms" and affirming their universal character as inherent, inalienable, and applicable to all human beings. Adopted as a "common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations", the UDHR commits nations to recognize all humans as being "born free and equal in dignity and rights" regardless of "nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status".
Of the 58 members of the United Nations at the time, 48 voted in favour, none against, eight abstained, and two did not vote.
Regarded as one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges the UDHR is a landmark document that enshrines the inalienable rights and freedoms of ALL human beings.
Drafted by a UN committee of representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt, it was accepted by the General Assembly as Resolution 217 during its third session on 10 December 1948 at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, France.
It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into over 500 languages.
The Declaration consists of 30 articles detailing an individual's "basic rights and fundamental freedoms" and affirming their universal character as inherent, inalienable, and applicable to all human beings. Adopted as a "common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations", the UDHR commits nations to recognize all humans as being "born free and equal in dignity and rights" regardless of "nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status".
Of the 58 members of the United Nations at the time, 48 voted in favour, none against, eight abstained, and two did not vote.
The 48 countries that vote in favour of the Declarationn were:
|
Afghanistan Argentina Australia Belgium Bolivia Brazil Burma Canada[a] Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador |
Egypt El Salvador Ethiopia France Greece Guatemala Haiti Iceland India Iran Iraq Lebanon Liberia Luxembourg Mexico Netherlands |
New Zealand Nicaragua Norway Pakistan Panama Paraguay Peru Philippines Siam Sweden Syria Turkey United Kingdom United States Uruguay Venezuela |
Eight countries abstained:
Czechoslovakia
Poland
Saudi Arabia
Soviet Union
Byelorussian SSR
Ukrainian SSR
South Africa
Yugoslavia
Two countries failed to vote or abstain:
Honduras
Yemen
Czechoslovakia
Poland
Saudi Arabia
Soviet Union
Byelorussian SSR
Ukrainian SSR
South Africa
Yugoslavia
Two countries failed to vote or abstain:
Honduras
Yemen
10 December, the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration, is celebrated annually as World Human Rights Day or International Human Rights Day. The commemoration is observed by individuals, community and religious groups, human rights organisations, parliaments, governments, and the United Nations.
