Introduction

=How can we define human rights?=

=Universal Declaration of Human Rights=

===//"In the course of this year, unprecedented efforts must be made to ensure that every person in the world can rely on just laws for his or her protection. In advancing all human rights for all, we will move towards the greatest fulfillment of human potential, a promise which is at the heart of the Universal Declaration."//===

High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour

//On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of [|the United Nations] adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights... Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be [|disseminated], displayed, read and [|expounded] principally in schools and other educational institutions, without [|distinction] based on the political status of countries or territories."// Source: http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html


 * Click on the link below for information on the history of the signing of this declaration.**



__**Simplified Version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights**__ The General Assembly recognizes that the [|inherent] dignity and the equal and [|inalienable rights] of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. Human rights should be protected by the rule of law, friendly relations between nations must be [|fostered]. The peoples of the UN have [|affirmed] their faith in human rights, the dignity and the worth of the human person, the equal rights of men and women and are determined to promote social progress, better standards of life and larger freedom and have promised to promote human rights and a common understanding of these rights.
 * Summary of [|Preamble]**

Activity
Source: Electronic Resource Centre for Human Rights Education http://www.hrea.org/erc/Library/First_Steps/part4_eng.html

Background Information on Universal Declaration of Human Rights
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights#Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights

Can the UDHR be enforced?
The UDHR is a declaration and not a treaty. This means that countries have not signed or ratified it (see the section on 'Signing and ratifying treaties') and it is not legally enforceable. However, the principles in the UDHR have 'over time' gained a certain moral force and are now generally regarded as being part of international customary law. This means all countries are automatically bound to uphold its principles and values. It is a very powerful document and as such it has been used as a standard in the following situations:
 * to monitor the abuse or protection of rights by governments
 * to influence various international and regional treaties
 * to influence various national constitutions which have included the rights from the UDHR
 * to influence courts in their interpretation of the law

Source: http://rightstraining.fahamu.org/ocw/learning-for-change/introduction-to-human-rights/IHR03/IHR03_003.html

2008 marked the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. See the following link on BBC for more information on what the act actually mean. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/uk/2000/human_rights/default.stm

Page created by Ms. Leong and Ms. Muench