Preview

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1047 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Brittany McCarthy
SSC 102 – Global Perspective
Paper 2
9-30-12

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

“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.”
(http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml)

Background Information
The above statement was pulled directly from the declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948 in Paris, France. The declaration was created due to the disadvantages learned during World War II. It was the first deposition created concerning the rights of all human beings across the globe. The declaration is comprised of 30 articles which “elaborate in subsequent international treaties, regional human rights instruments, national constitutions and laws.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights)
During World War II the Allies, which consisted of France, Poland, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and the United States, initiated the Four Freedoms. The Four Freedoms were composed of the Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion,
Freedom from Fear, and Freedom from Want. If you review the Declaration of Human Rights you will find these four freedoms referred to throughout. December 10, 1948, the day the Declaration was adopted, is of significant international meaning. It has officially been entitled International Human Rights Day. This document and its significance is internationally recognized. It is officially recorded in the Guinness Book of



Cited: 1. www.un.org Copyright © United Nations 2012 http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml 2. http://www.saintleo.edu/about/florida-catholic-university.aspx 3. Morsink, Johannes (1999). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: origins, drafting, and intent. University of Pennsylvania Press. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society; and (3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. This article is very important because it enforces the people obligation to each other to ensure that everyone has the same rights and freedoms regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or…

    • 654 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights is a document that was created in 1948 in hopes of guiding others to follow principles regarding humans’ fundamental rights. After the experiences during the Second World War, the United Nations was created and wished to construct a guide to go along with the UN Charter (). The draft was reviewed by the Commission on Human Rights consisting of “18 members from various political, cultural and religious backgrounds,” which ensured that all rights would consider each individual’s history (). The final Declaration was adopted by the General Assembly in Paris and continues to represent a common ground for many rights and freedoms including rights to education, freedom of opinion and right to property…

    • 1085 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen was written by the Marquis de Lafayette, approved by the National Assembly of France in 1789, and gave meaning to the revolutionary cry "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity." The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was written on December 10, 1948 by the General Assembly of the United Nations. Its purpose was to make known the "standards" for living set by the members of the United Nations.…

    • 766 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Night by Elie Wiesel

    • 1003 Words
    • 5 Pages

    * United Nations. 2013. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml. [Accessed 20 February 13]…

    • 1003 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    "Questions and answers about the Universal Declaration." UNA-Canada : : ACNU. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2010. <http://www.unac.org/rights/question.html>.…

    • 1316 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The universal Declaration of Human Rights is a milestone document in the history of Human Rights. Which speaks volumes about our character. All lives matter,” We hold these truths to be self - evident ; that all men are created equal, that they are empowered by their creator what certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty & the pursuit of…

    • 560 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states “As a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping the 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 observe, both among the peoples of Members States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction”. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human rights is saying that us as people should have a set standard to teach and educate others to promote respect for the rights that we already have. Whether it’s National or international. By having this respect we can help and support other countries that really need us. We need to not take our rights and freedom for granted because we are extremely fortunate and blessed to be bale to live our lives…

    • 325 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In our definition of human rights, we use an approach more closely related to the Declaration of the Rights of Man. In the sense, that we define it more as they did in terms of equality and fairness as stated by the UN: "We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible." (United Nations, 2018). When we begin discussing universal human rights, the debates become more difficult to put to rest. When it comes to universal human rights we adopt more of a style as they used in the Declaration of Independence. It inevitably becomes a discussion more on the structure and legality of our systems. Rather than discussing equalities for individuals, you must discuss issues for humanity as a whole. This is why I do believe that we use these Declarations as a foundation for our modern-day definition of human rights, but have adopted different aspects from each…

    • 956 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The lorax

    • 1239 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Universal Declaration of Human Rights- The 1948 UN statement, largely written by Canadian john Humphrey who outlines the rights and freedoms of people around the world.…

    • 1239 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Homelessness in America

    • 2115 Words
    • 9 Pages

    The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (n.d.). United Nations. Retrieved April 18, 2011, from http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml…

    • 2115 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Looking at the United Nations, human rights are freedoms that are believed to universal human rights that protect individuals and groups against actions which can interfere with fundamental freedoms and human dignity. According to the universal declaration of human rights in Article 5, “No one shall be subjected to torture or, to cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”…

    • 813 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the wake of the horrific events of World War 2, such as the Holocaust, the United Nations drafted and published the Declaration of Human Rights, fortifying the first step toward universal human rights, attempting to achieve a higher level of discourse and affirmative action to assure atrocities like the Holocaust would…

    • 697 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    United Nations (1948) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations, retrieved July 11, 2009 from http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/…

    • 2461 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Human rights are about human dignity and the fact that no one can take this dignity away or humiliate another human being. The declaration is based on the idea that people possess human “rights to life, liberty, security of person” (UDHR, Article 3), and according to the declaration’s preamble, the recognition of personal dignity and the inalienable rights to be treated equally is the necessary foundation to maintain the freedom and justice of the world. This is, however, opposing to the unethical behaviors displayed from the same member states of the United Nations, which due to their political differences, lead to destructive events between their…

    • 725 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The universal declaration of human rights. (n.d.). Retrieved April 6, 2011, from United Nations: http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/…

    • 415 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays