universal declaration of human rights short essay

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Essay on Human Rights: Samples in 500 and 1500

• Updated on  
• Jun 20, 2024

Essay writing is an integral part of the school curriculum and various academic and competitive exams like IELTS , TOEFL , SAT , UPSC , etc. It is designed to test your command of the English language and how well you can gather your thoughts and present them in a structure with a flow. To master your ability to write an essay, you must read as much as possible and practise on any given topic. This blog brings you a detailed guide on how to write an essay on Human Rights , with useful essay samples on Human rights.

This Blog Includes:

The basic human rights, 200 words essay on human rights, 500 words essay on human rights, 500+ words essay on human rights in india, 1500 words essay on human rights, importance of human rights, essay on human rights pdf, what are human rights.

Human rights mark everyone as free and equal, irrespective of age, gender, caste, creed, religion and nationality. The United Nations adopted human rights in light of the atrocities people faced during the Second World War. On the 10th of December 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Its adoption led to the recognition of human rights as the foundation for freedom, justice and peace for every individual. Although it’s not legally binding, most nations have incorporated these human rights into their constitutions and domestic legal frameworks. Human rights safeguard us from discrimination and guarantee that our most basic needs are protected.

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Before we move on to the essays on human rights, let’s check out the basics of what they are.

Also Read: What are Human Rights?

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Here is a 200-word short sample essay on basic Human Rights.

Human rights are a set of rights given to every human being regardless of their gender, caste, creed, religion, nation, location or economic status. These are said to be moral principles that illustrate certain standards of human behaviour. Protected by law , these rights are applicable everywhere and at any time. Basic human rights include the right to life, right to a fair trial, right to remedy by a competent tribunal, right to liberty and personal security, right to own property, right to education, right of peaceful assembly and association, right to marriage and family, right to nationality and freedom to change it, freedom of speech, freedom from discrimination, freedom from slavery, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of movement, right of opinion and information, right to adequate living standard and freedom from interference with privacy, family, home and correspondence.

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Check out this 500-word long essay on Human Rights.

Every person has dignity and value. One of the ways that we recognise the fundamental worth of every person is by acknowledging and respecting their human rights. Human rights are a set of principles concerned with equality and fairness. They recognise our freedom to make choices about our lives and develop our potential as human beings. They are about living a life free from fear, harassment or discrimination.

Human rights can broadly be defined as the basic rights that people worldwide have agreed are essential. These include the right to life, the right to a fair trial, freedom from torture and other cruel and inhuman treatment, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to health, education and an adequate standard of living. These human rights are the same for all people everywhere – men and women, young and old, rich and poor, regardless of our background, where we live, what we think or believe. This basic property is what makes human rights’ universal’.

Human rights connect us all through a shared set of rights and responsibilities. People’s ability to enjoy their human rights depends on other people respecting those rights. This means that human rights involve responsibility and duties towards other people and the community. Individuals have a responsibility to ensure that they exercise their rights with consideration for the rights of others. For example, when someone uses their right to freedom of speech, they should do so without interfering with someone else’s right to privacy.

Governments have a particular responsibility to ensure that people can enjoy their rights. They must establish and maintain laws and services that enable people to enjoy a life in which their rights are respected and protected. For example, the right to education says that everyone is entitled to a good education. Therefore, governments must provide good quality education facilities and services to their people. If the government fails to respect or protect their basic human rights, people can take it into account.

Values of tolerance, equality and respect can help reduce friction within society. Putting human rights ideas into practice can help us create the kind of society we want to live in. There has been tremendous growth in how we think about and apply human rights ideas in recent decades. This growth has had many positive results – knowledge about human rights can empower individuals and offer solutions for specific problems.

Human rights are an important part of how people interact with others at all levels of society – in the family, the community, school, workplace, politics and international relations. Therefore, people everywhere must strive to understand what human rights are. When people better understand human rights, it is easier for them to promote justice and the well-being of society. 

Also Read: Important Articles in Indian Constitution

Here is a human rights essay focused on India.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. It has been rightly proclaimed in the American Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Created with certain unalienable rights….” Similarly, the Indian Constitution has ensured and enshrined Fundamental rights for all citizens irrespective of caste, creed, religion, colour, sex or nationality. These basic rights, commonly known as human rights, are recognised the world over as basic rights with which every individual is born.

In recognition of human rights, “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was made on the 10th of December, 1948. This declaration is the basic instrument of human rights. Even though this declaration has no legal bindings and authority, it forms the basis of all laws on human rights. The necessity of formulating laws to protect human rights is now being felt all over the world. According to social thinkers, the issue of human rights became very important after World War II concluded. It is important for social stability both at the national and international levels. Wherever there is a breach of human rights, there is conflict at one level or the other.

Given the increasing importance of the subject, it becomes necessary that educational institutions recognise the subject of human rights as an independent discipline. The course contents and curriculum of the discipline of human rights may vary according to the nature and circumstances of a particular institution. Still, generally, it should include the rights of a child, rights of minorities, rights of the needy and the disabled, right to live, convention on women, trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation etc.

Since the formation of the United Nations , the promotion and protection of human rights have been its main focus. The United Nations has created a wide range of mechanisms for monitoring human rights violations. The conventional mechanisms include treaties and organisations, U.N. special reporters, representatives and experts and working groups. Asian countries like China argue in favour of collective rights. According to Chinese thinkers, European countries lay stress upon individual rights and values while Asian countries esteem collective rights and obligations to the family and society as a whole.

With the freedom movement the world over after World War II, the end of colonisation also ended the policy of apartheid and thereby the most aggressive violation of human rights. With the spread of education, women are asserting their rights. Women’s movements play an important role in spreading the message of human rights. They are fighting for their rights and supporting the struggle for human rights of other weaker and deprived sections like bonded labour, child labour, landless labour, unemployed persons, Dalits and elderly people.

Unfortunately, violation of human rights continues in most parts of the world. Ethnic cleansing and genocide can still be seen in several parts of the world. Large sections of the world population are deprived of the necessities of life i.e. food, shelter and security of life. Right to minimum basic needs viz. Work, health care, education and shelter are denied to them. These deprivations amount to the negation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Also Read: Human Rights Courses

Check out this detailed 1500-word essay on human rights.

The human right to live and exist, the right to equality, including equality before the law, non-discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, and equality of opportunity in matters of employment, the right to freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, the right to practice any profession or occupation, the right against exploitation, prohibiting all forms of forced labour, child labour and trafficking in human beings, the right to freedom of conscience, practice and propagation of religion and the right to legal remedies for enforcement of the above are basic human rights. These rights and freedoms are the very foundations of democracy.

Obviously, in a democracy, the people enjoy the maximum number of freedoms and rights. Besides these are political rights, which include the right to contest an election and vote freely for a candidate of one’s choice. Human rights are a benchmark of a developed and civilised society. But rights cannot exist in a vacuum. They have their corresponding duties. Rights and duties are the two aspects of the same coin.

Liberty never means license. Rights presuppose the rule of law, where everyone in the society follows a code of conduct and behaviour for the good of all. It is the sense of duty and tolerance that gives meaning to rights. Rights have their basis in the ‘live and let live’ principle. For example, my right to speech and expression involves my duty to allow others to enjoy the same freedom of speech and expression. Rights and duties are inextricably interlinked and interdependent. A perfect balance is to be maintained between the two. Whenever there is an imbalance, there is chaos.

A sense of tolerance, propriety and adjustment is a must to enjoy rights and freedom. Human life sans basic freedom and rights is meaningless. Freedom is the most precious possession without which life would become intolerable, a mere abject and slavish existence. In this context, Milton’s famous and oft-quoted lines from his Paradise Lost come to mind: “To reign is worth ambition though in hell/Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.”

However, liberty cannot survive without its corresponding obligations and duties. An individual is a part of society in which he enjoys certain rights and freedom only because of the fulfilment of certain duties and obligations towards others. Thus, freedom is based on mutual respect’s rights. A fine balance must be maintained between the two, or there will be anarchy and bloodshed. Therefore, human rights can best be preserved and protected in a society steeped in morality, discipline and social order.

Violation of human rights is most common in totalitarian and despotic states. In the theocratic states, there is much persecution, and violation in the name of religion and the minorities suffer the most. Even in democracies, there is widespread violation and infringement of human rights and freedom. The women, children and the weaker sections of society are victims of these transgressions and violence.

The U.N. Commission on Human Rights’ main concern is to protect and promote human rights and freedom in the world’s nations. In its various sessions held from time to time in Geneva, it adopts various measures to encourage worldwide observations of these basic human rights and freedom. It calls on its member states to furnish information regarding measures that comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights whenever there is a complaint of a violation of these rights. In addition, it reviews human rights situations in various countries and initiates remedial measures when required.

The U.N. Commission was much concerned and dismayed at the apartheid being practised in South Africa till recently. The Secretary-General then declared, “The United Nations cannot tolerate apartheid. It is a legalised system of racial discrimination, violating the most basic human rights in South Africa. It contradicts the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter. That is why over the last forty years, my predecessors and I have urged the Government of South Africa to dismantle it.”

Now, although apartheid is no longer practised in that country, other forms of apartheid are being blatantly practised worldwide. For example, sex apartheid is most rampant. Women are subject to abuse and exploitation. They are not treated equally and get less pay than their male counterparts for the same jobs. In employment, promotions, possession of property etc., they are most discriminated against. Similarly, the rights of children are not observed properly. They are forced to work hard in very dangerous situations, sexually assaulted and exploited, sold and bonded for labour.

The Commission found that religious persecution, torture, summary executions without judicial trials, intolerance, slavery-like practices, kidnapping, political disappearance, etc., are being practised even in the so-called advanced countries and societies. The continued acts of extreme violence, terrorism and extremism in various parts of the world like Pakistan, India, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Somalia, Algeria, Lebanon, Chile, China, and Myanmar, etc., by the governments, terrorists, religious fundamentalists, and mafia outfits, etc., is a matter of grave concern for the entire human race.

Violation of freedom and rights by terrorist groups backed by states is one of the most difficult problems society faces. For example, Pakistan has been openly collaborating with various terrorist groups, indulging in extreme violence in India and other countries. In this regard the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva adopted a significant resolution, which was co-sponsored by India, focusing on gross violation of human rights perpetrated by state-backed terrorist groups.

The resolution expressed its solidarity with the victims of terrorism and proposed that a U.N. Fund for victims of terrorism be established soon. The Indian delegation recalled that according to the Vienna Declaration, terrorism is nothing but the destruction of human rights. It shows total disregard for the lives of innocent men, women and children. The delegation further argued that terrorism cannot be treated as a mere crime because it is systematic and widespread in its killing of civilians.

Violation of human rights, whether by states, terrorists, separatist groups, armed fundamentalists or extremists, is condemnable. Regardless of the motivation, such acts should be condemned categorically in all forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomever they are committed, as acts of aggression aimed at destroying human rights, fundamental freedom and democracy. The Indian delegation also underlined concerns about the growing connection between terrorist groups and the consequent commission of serious crimes. These include rape, torture, arson, looting, murder, kidnappings, blasts, and extortion, etc.

Violation of human rights and freedom gives rise to alienation, dissatisfaction, frustration and acts of terrorism. Governments run by ambitious and self-seeking people often use repressive measures and find violence and terror an effective means of control. However, state terrorism, violence, and human freedom transgressions are very dangerous strategies. This has been the background of all revolutions in the world. Whenever there is systematic and widespread state persecution and violation of human rights, rebellion and revolution have taken place. The French, American, Russian and Chinese Revolutions are glowing examples of human history.

The first war of India’s Independence in 1857 resulted from long and systematic oppression of the Indian masses. The rapidly increasing discontent, frustration and alienation with British rule gave rise to strong national feelings and demand for political privileges and rights. Ultimately the Indian people, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, made the British leave India, setting the country free and independent.

Human rights and freedom ought to be preserved at all costs. Their curtailment degrades human life. The political needs of a country may reshape Human rights, but they should not be completely distorted. Tyranny, regimentation, etc., are inimical of humanity and should be resisted effectively and united. The sanctity of human values, freedom and rights must be preserved and protected. Human Rights Commissions should be established in all countries to take care of human freedom and rights. In cases of violation of human rights, affected individuals should be properly compensated, and it should be ensured that these do not take place in future.

These commissions can become effective instruments in percolating the sensitivity to human rights down to the lowest levels of governments and administrations. The formation of the National Human Rights Commission in October 1993 in India is commendable and should be followed by other countries.

Also Read: Law Courses in India

Human rights are of utmost importance to seek basic equality and human dignity. Human rights ensure that the basic needs of every human are met. They protect vulnerable groups from discrimination and abuse, allow people to stand up for themselves, and follow any religion without fear and give them the freedom to express their thoughts freely. In addition, they grant people access to basic education and equal work opportunities. Thus implementing these rights is crucial to ensure freedom, peace and safety.

Human Rights Day is annually celebrated on the 10th of December.

Human Rights Day is celebrated to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UNGA in 1948.

Some of the common Human Rights are the right to life and liberty, freedom of opinion and expression, freedom from slavery and torture and the right to work and education.

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• Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 ( General Assembly resolution 217 A ) as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into over 500 languages . The UDHR is widely recognized as having inspired, and paved the way for, the adoption of more than seventy human rights treaties, applied today on a permanent basis at global and regional levels (all containing references to it in their preambles). 

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,

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,

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,

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. 

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

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

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

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

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

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

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

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

• Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
• No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

• Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
• Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
• Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
• This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
• Everyone has the right to a nationality.
• No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
• Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, 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.
• Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
• The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
• Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
• No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

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 and regardless of frontiers.

• Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
• No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
• Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
• Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
• The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

• Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
• Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
• Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
• Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

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

• 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 and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
• Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
• Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
• Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
• Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
• 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.
• Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

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

• Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
• 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.
• These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

• Text of the Declaration
• History of the Declaration
• Drafters of the Declaration
• The Foundation of International Human Rights Law
• Human Rights Law

2023: UDHR turns 75

What is the Declaration of Human Rights? Narrated by Morgan Freeman.

UN digital ambassador Elyx animates the UDHR

To mark the 75th anniversary of the UDHR in December 2023, the United Nations has partnered once again with French digital artist YAK (Yacine Ait Kaci) – whose illustrated character Elyx is the first digital ambassador of the United Nations – on an animated version of the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

UDHR Illustrated

Read the Illustrated edition of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

UDHR in 80+ languages

Watch and listen to people around the world reading articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in more than 80 languages.

Women Who Shaped the Declaration

Women delegates from various countries played a key role in getting women’s rights included in the Declaration. Hansa Mehta of India (standing above Eleanor Roosevelt) is widely credited with changing the phrase "All men are born free and equal" to "All human beings are born free and equal" in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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• Universal Declaration Of Human Rights

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an international document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) . It establishes the rights and freedoms of all members of the human race.

It was accepted by the UNGA as per Resolution 217 during the session on December 10, 1948. Among the United Nations members at the time, 48 voted in favour, none against, 8 abstained and 2 did not vote.

The UDHR has played a significant role in the history of human rights. Its significance as well as other facts will be highlighted in detail in this article. The information will be useful in the IAS Exam.

The candidates can read relevant information from the links provided below:

Universal Declaration of Human Rights – Overview

• The UDHR consists of 30 articles detailing an individual’s “basic rights and fundamental freedoms”. It is universally applicable for all human beings of varying race, religions and nationality.
• It directly inspired the development of international human rights law, and was the first step in the formulation of the International Bill of Human Rights, which was completed in 1966 and came into force in 1976.
• Even though the Universal Human Rights Declaration is not legally binding, its contents has been elaborated and incorporated into subsequent international treaties, regional human rights and instruments and in the legal codes of various countries
• At least one of the 9 binding treaties of the UDHR has been ratified by all 193 member states of the United Nations , with the majority ratifying four or more.

History of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The United Nations was founded by 51 countries in October 1945, two months after World War II ended. Two world wars, the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and a global refugee crisis had led to fears of a destructive World War II .

The UN was founded to avoid such a disaster, as well as to address human rights. Out of all the people who wanted such notions to become a reality, it was Eleanor Roosevelt – the wife of the late United States President Franklin Delano Roosevelt – who would play a crucial role in the formulation of the Universal Human Rights Declaration

President Harry Truman appointed Eleanor Roosevelt to the US delegation to the United Nations in 1945. She was well known throughout the world as a champion of poverty allegations and universal civil rights. It was in April 1946, after becoming chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights, that she took on the task of drafting a human rights declaration for the world.

Eleanor’s ideals about human rights and desire for global peace were influenced by her experiences of both the world wars where she had worked with shell-shocked soldiers undergoing psychological treatments during World War I while she had visited the devastated cities of Europe during the second world war.

Drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was not at all an easy task. For starters:

• Both the United States and the Soviet Union had their own definition of human or to put it simply could not agree on what human rights were.
• Many conservative US politicians were not fond of supporting the economic and social rights of the UDHR because in their eyes such rights were ‘communist’ in their nature and scope.

However, Elanor with her charm and diplomacy managed to gather enough support for the UDHR to be passed in a resolution.

Hansa Mehta, a UN delegate from the newly independent country of India and the only other woman on the Commission on Human Rights was crucial in shaping the declaration. It was she who changed the original declaration’s first article from “All men are born free and equal” to “All human beings are born free and equal”.

Even though the declaration isn’t binding or enforceable. It would serve as a model for legislation in many countries.

After the draft was presented to the United Nations General Assembly, it was adopted on December 10, 1946.

December 10, the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration, is celebrated annually as World Human Rights Day or International Human Rights Day.

Structure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The structure of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was influenced by a set of laws formulated by Napoléon Bonaparte centuries before, collectively known as the Code Napoléon.

Its final structure took form in the second draft prepared by French jurist René Cassin, who worked on the initial draft prepared by Canadian legal scholar John Peters Humphrey.

The Declaration consists of the following:

The preamble gives details about the social and historical reasons that led to the formation of the UDHR.

It contains a total of 30 articles:

Significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• The UDHR is widely regarded as a groundbreaking document that provides a comprehensive and universal set of principles in a secular, apolitical document that is beyond cultural, religious and political ideologies The Declaration was the first instrument of international law to use the phrase “rule of law”, thereby establishing the principle that all members of all societies are equally bound by the law regardless of the jurisdiction or political system.
• In International law, a declaration is different from a treaty in the sense that it generally states aspiration or understanding among the parties, rather than binding obligations. For this reason, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a fundamental constitutive document of the United Nations and, by extension, all 193 parties of the UN Charter.

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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Essay Example

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According to the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, Thomas Jefferson expressed reasons of alleged abuses detailed in both documents which gave rise to the need for justification of American independence. I will discuss the alleged abuses and why I feel these abuses are an infringement of people’s human rights and civil liberties as the Declaration of Independence. I will further discuss the role the first ten amendments played in the independence of Americans and how ethics helped to form the law of human rights for the future Americans.

Perhaps the most prominent part of the Declaration of Independence is the words, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness …” (“The Declaration of Independence”). The original thirteen colonies of the United States of America desperately wanted their independence from Great Britain. It was not until the first United States Constitution was drafted in 1787 did the people begin to be able to outline and make laws. The Declaration of Independence simply pronounced ‘ideals’ for a new form of government.

Jefferson led the way for America’s independence by listing abuses or grievances such as abuses by King George III and a right to revolution. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were listed as inalienable rights or basic human rights afforded to all citizens. Abraham Lincoln stated his political philosophy was based on the Declaration of Independence and further, the United States Constitution should be interpreted through the basis of the Declaration.

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, also named the Bill of Rights, sought to establish a boundary to adopt a formal expressed desire to eliminate any misconstruction or abuse of power by the government whether through the legislation or judiciary. “The States combined powers together to form the Constitution and added declaratory and exclusion clauses to prevent any one form of government from becoming too powerful.” (“Bill of Rights”).  Further the colonies set out to define some specifics rights that could set a standard for future human rights/civil liberties to be added to a formal Constitution. This Constitution would differ from the British Constitution that is considered to be ‘transparent and unwritten’. The first ten amendments addressed the basic rights such as basic representation in both houses, prohibition of law against assembly for religious activities, the right to bear arms, the right of people to be secure in their own home (search and seizure warrants), etc.

Ethics plays an important role in domestic and international law and culture as well as human rights. Every person has the right to participate in an open community regardless of religion, race, belief, etc. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states every person has the inalienable right to “freedom, justice and peace in the world in which they live.” (“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights”). States agree to reaffirm their pledge to follow the agreement of the United Nations and show loyalty and faith to human rights and give equal rights to men and women regardless of their religious background, social status, etc. This is to ensure that all people created by God are treated equally by the law.

As declared in the Declaration of Independence the King of England for many years had absolute tyrannical power over the people and had refused to Assent to the law for the wholesome and good of the people and public; he had forbidden the Governor to make and pass any law that was against his wishes; “He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.” (“Declaration of Independence”); the King was infamous for cutting off trade with all parts of the world; the king was infamous for imposing taxes on the people without their consent; “For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:” (“Declaration of Independence”). These are the major infringements that the people had to deal with on a regular and daily basis. The King’s rules were the only rules and only if the people agreed with his rules were they able to speak their concerns. Anyone who did not agree with the King’s viewpoint was quickly silenced. There was no such thing as a representative democracy or anything close to it. It was pure monarchy and near dictatorship form of government that existed in England and the United States was governed by the British. It was not until the formation of the Declaration and the Constitution did the Americans gain their Independence. Human Rights are a constant struggle even today.

Jefferson, T. (2010) The Declaration of Independence Retrieved April 15, 2010 from, http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/jefferson/aa_jefferson_declar_4.html

Bill of Rights (2010) Retrieved April 15, 2010 from, http://www.constitution.org/billofr_.htm

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (2010) Retrieved from, http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

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Universal Declaration of Human Rights Research Paper

This paper is a review of the UDHR and its relevance to human service professionals who deal with domestic disputes. The UDHR is a strong indicator of the international community’s efforts to standardize human rights applications. The paper explores a brief history of the UDHR and mentions other UN-based conventions that address human rights.

The UDHR (Universal Declaration of Human Rights) is the document that defines collective and acceptable human-rights law. The impact of UDHR on global politics has been compared to that of Magna Carta. The UDHR document was drafted by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights under the leadership of Eleanor Roosevelt.

The UDHR was subsequently adopted by several countries across the world in 1948. The institution of the UDHR was prompted by the sudden increase in human rights abuses as exemplified by the Second World War, the Nazi genocide, and struggle for independence in several countries across Africa. The UDHR bears with it two fundamental principles; dedication to nondiscrimination and the dignity of all human beings.

The UDHR has served as the core framework of how several countries and institutions around the world handle human rights. Consequently, most of the clauses that were part of the original UDHR document are echoed in today’s human rights practices. This paper is a review of UDHR’s institution and how it relates to domestic dispute professionals.

UDHR is quite relevant to human service professionals in the field of domestic disputes. Human service professionals operate under domestic laws. Therefore, domestic dispute professionals will often encounter the elements of UDHR that are contained in both local and international laws on family disputes. The main area of concern for domestic dispute professionals is domestic-violence (Thomas & Beasley, 2003).

The problem of domestic violence persists in all countries across the world. Nonetheless, the UDHR does not single out domestic dispute resolution as an exclusive human rights problem. The UDHR is one of the conventions that provide an outline of human rights stipulations that directly touch on domestic disputes.

Other international conventions that touch on domestic violence and disputes include the ICESCR (International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights) and the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights).

The “Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is a convention that preceded the UDHR with the aim of granting international justice to victims of domestic violence” (Roosevelt, 2001). The elements that are contained within the 1981-instuted CEDAW are a restatement of UDHR.

One of the most relevant articles that are contained within the UDHR is article 3 that states; “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person” (Assembly, 1948). Article 3 of the UDHR acts as a guiding principle to all domestic dispute professionals. For instance, the human service professionals who are in charge of dispute resolution have to consider the fundamental rights of all the parties who are involved in a conflict.

When it comes to domestic disputes, the rights of children are quite important. Consequently, the UHDR is quite relevant to the practice of domestic dispute resolution because of the contents contained in Article 25. The article gives mothers and children a wide range of rights and privileges. For instance, article 25 states that “children are entitled to special care and assistance” (Assembly, 1948).

Furthermore, article 25 fortifies the rights of the children who are born out of wedlock. The assertions of UDHR’s article 25 are important to domestic dispute professionals. The bulk of work for domestic dispute professionals comes in the form of tackling domestic-violence issues within their respective communities.

The relevance of domestic violence issues within communities was underlined by a member of the United Nations’ special Rapporteur. Radhika Coomaraswamy observed that the “fundamental human rights to be free from torture, gender discrimination, and the inherent right to life are directly applicable to… violence against women” (Morsink, 2009).

The most relevant aspect about UDHR is that its provisions reign against discriminative national and customary laws within United Nations’ member states.

To ensure that the spirit of UDHR is not undermined, it is imperative for domestic dispute professionals to make changes to their practices. For instance, when professionals are resolving disputes it is important for them to take to consideration that any compromise to bodily integrity is not permitted. Henceforth, any form of dispute that involves bodily harm to either of the disputing factions amounts to an injustice.

Article 3 of the UDHR specifies that “Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person” (Assembly, 1948). Domestic dispute professionals might involve other relevant institutions when disputes degenerate into physical harm.

Another change that human service professionals might have to make in the course of their practice involves getting rid of their prejudices. In some instances, domestic dispute professionals might be subject to prejudices that involve sex, race, religion, color, or language (Donnelly, 2003).

Professionals who bear prejudicial notions should change to ensure that the stipulations of article 2 of UDHR are upheld. The article warns against distinctions of any kind in accordance with “race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status” (Assembly, 1948).

The UHDR remains relevant to professionals who work in the domestic dispute field. Even though some of the stipulations of the convention may not directly apply to local environments and cultures, domestic dispute professionals should take UHDR into consideration.

Assembly, U. G. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights . Web.

Donnelly, J. (2003). International human rights . Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

Morsink, J. (2009). The universal declaration of human rights: Origins, drafting, and intent . New York, NY: University of Pennsylvania Press.

Roosevelt, E. (2001). Universal declaration of human rights . New York, NY: Applewood Books.

Thomas, D. Q., & Beasley, M. E. (2003). Domestic violence as a human rights issue. Human Rights Quarterly, 22 (1), 36-62.

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What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Universal Declaration) is an international document that states the basic rights and fundamental freedoms to which all human beings are entitled.

When was the Universal Declaration created?

The Universal Declaration was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December 1948. Motivated by the experiences of the preceding world wars, the Universal Declaration was the first time that countries agreed on a comprehensive statement of inalienable human rights.

Australia played an important role in the development of the Universal Declaration . 

What does the Universal Declaration say?

The Universal Declaration begins by recognising that 

"the inherent dignity of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world".

It declares that human rights are universal – to be enjoyed by all people, no matter who they are or where they live.

The Universal Declaration includes civil and political rights, like the right to life, liberty, free speech and privacy. It also includes economic, social and cultural rights, like the right to social security, health and education.

Is the Universal Declaration legally binding?

The Universal Declaration is not a treaty, so it does not directly create legal obligations for countries .

However, it is an expression of the fundamental values which are shared by all members of the international community. And it has had a profound influence on the development of international human rights law. Some argue that because countries have consistently invoked the Declaration for more than fifty years, it has become binding as a part of customary international law.

Further, the Universal Declaration has given rise to a wide range of other international agreements which are legally binding on the countries that ratify them. These include the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) . For more information on the relationship between these treaties and the Universal Declaration, see Human Rights Explained: The International Bill of Rights .

Many other international agreements expand on the rights contained in the Universal Declaration. For example:

• the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC )
• the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
• the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)

Celebrating 75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

More Information

• Explore an Introduction to Human Rights
• Find out more about how the Australian Human Rights Commission was established
• Have Your Say on the current inquiries, projects and conversations about human rights in Australia.

What are the 30 Human Rights?

According to the universal declaration of human rights.

Download a PDF version for easier offline reading and sharing

List of 30 Basic Human Rights:

Congratulations, if you are human you have Human Rights! These are yours to keep and they are the same for us all. The United Nations recognizes 30 basic human rights that every person has at all times, regardless of their country or background.

The  Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed by the UN General Assembly at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, France on December 10th 1948. The declaration was eventually adopted with 48 votes for and none against (8 abstained and two did not vote ).

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a defining document in history that outlines 30 articles affirming individual rights. These include such things as life, education and freedom from discrimination among many other important possessions everyone deserves to enjoy without interference or fear for their safety.

Here is the full list of 30 human rights according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations, signed in Paris on 10 December 1948:

1. All human beings are free and equal

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

2. No discrimination

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinions, national or social origin, property, birth, or another status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional, or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs.

3. Right to life

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

4. No slavery

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

5. No torture and inhuman treatment

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

6. Same right to use law

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

7. Equal before the law

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation and against any incitement to such discrimination.

8. Right to be treated fair by the court

Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

9. No unfair detainment

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

10. Right to trial

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

11. Innocent until proved guilty

Everyone charged with a penal offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to the law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defense. No one shall be held guilty of any penal offense on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offense, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed.

12. Right to privacy

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

13. Freedom to movement and residence

Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

14. Right to asylum

Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution. This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

15. Right to nationality

Everyone has the right to a nationality. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality

16. Rights to marry and have family

Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during the marriage, and at its dissolution. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses. The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

17. Right to own things

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

18. Freedom of thought and religion

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

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 and regardless of frontiers.

20. Right to assemble

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

21. Right to democracy

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

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 and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social, and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

23. Right to work

Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work, and to protection against unemployment. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

24. Right to rest and holiday

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

25. Right of social service

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 and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children shall enjoy the same social protection.

26. Right to education

Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

27. Right of cultural and art

Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts, and share in scientific advancement and its benefits. Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

28. Freedom around the world

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

29. Subject to law

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

30. Human rights can’t be taken away

Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group, or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

Get Involved in Human Rights

To find out more about international human rights and the human rights council, visit the United Nations website here .

There are 30 basic human rights that every person should be able to enjoy. That is our mission. This article was written with the intent of helping you to better understand these basic rights that were drafted and signed generations ago. If you want to find out more about what Human Rights looks like in action, The Hague Peace Projects is a good place to start.

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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

A comprehensive review of the inception, significance, and global impact of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The essay would discuss its foundational principles, its influence on international law, and its relevance today. Additionally, PapersOwl presents more free essays samples linked to Democracy topic.

How it works

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Right in 1948. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights spells out the basic principles everyone should have such as liberty and the right to live, however what they do not explicitly state is the term “democracy” but describe this term. Throughout history, people are always drawn to democracy and freedom; no matter if it seems that democracy is in retreat. Rice states, “No transition to democracy is immediately successful, or an immediate failure.

” (Rice, 2017) Democracy is a balancing act between executive, legislative and judicial authority; the institutions we have in place protect this balance and are legitimized in the eyes of the government. When countries transition to a democracy there is always some sort of disruption, however the key is finding a balance between the disruption and stability that have the characteristics of a democracy. Several scholars believe that the state of that society is a major factor along with the idea that a civil society must already be in place and developed enough.

• 1 The Road to Democracy
• 2 The United States
• 3 European Soviet Block
• 4 The Future of Democracy

The Road to Democracy

Rice states these are not the only factors in the transition to democracy, but it depends in where you start; she lists off four institutional landscapes that lay the groundwork for these transitions into democracy. The first institutional landscape type is a totalitarian collapse: institutional vacuum. Benito Mussolini created the term “totalitario” which means, “All within the state, none outside the state, none against the state.” All aspects of life are controlled and follow the “cults of personality” where the society must follow the working of a single leader. When this type of regime collapses, it is normally at the hands of an external power. There is an institutional void which leads to an abundance of emotions which leads to revolutions. The second type of landscape is the gradual decay of totalitarian regimes: institutional antecedents remain. After communism ended, the communist institutions remained like a youth organization call Komsomol. In addition to these more institutions developed that fostered a positive civil society for the Soviets. The third landscape is an authoritarian regime and the struggle for meaningful political space. In authoritarian regimes, there is space available for groups independent of them such as, universities, labor groups, the business community and non-governmental organizations. However, these organizations remain useful to the regimes until a certain point; because there must be a balance of control and freedom. The fourth and final institutional landscape are Quasi-Democratic Regimes: fragile and vulnerable institutions. There are several places in the world where the political sphere is free, but it remains corrupt and hollow. Quasi-democratic states have to balance its force to sustain its democratic governance.

The United States

In the Declaration of Independence, it holds the principles of equality such as “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” America began in the state of tabula rasa and the state was born where times where much simpler compared to today’s international system. The Articles of Confederation created a system too weak to protect the interest of the republic, which led to the creation of the American Constitution. The Founders’ had 5 key aspects to the design of the institution. The first concept they tackled was institutional balance between the states and the center through federalism. Secondly, the Founders wanted to limit to role of the armed forces in a way where the political power of the country was not threatened, while the country was protected. Third, they created the separation of politics, religions and the power of the state. Fourth, the Founding Fathers left room for the growth of the private sector and the emergence of civil society. Last, they left the spirit of constitutionalism with their offspring, this spirit has allowed Americans of all generations to seek rights. Our Founding Fathers understood the importance of institutions and believed the way to have a stable democracy and have the rights they were withheld from was an institutional framework. In continuation, our nation’s founders held the belief of American Exceptionalism; they believed that America was different compared to other countries in terms of its foreign policy. The United States was influenced by the ideas of liberty, justice, and enlightenment compared to the ideas and polices leading other nations in the world during this time. The Founding Fathers desired to avoid the chaos of constant militant warlike atmosphere on European foreign policy.

In “Farewell Address’ of 1796, George Washington explicitly states the expectation of isolationism remaining a key paradigm in American foreign policy. Washington’s Address acknowledged two fundamental theories of American foreign policy: Liberalism and Realism. One of the key ideas of liberalism is the promotion of democracy and the method of this is promotion is through the activist and exemplar models. In the activist model, democracy is actively promoted through economic and military intervention. The best example of this is former President Woodrow Wilson.

European Soviet Block

The reason behind Russia’s failed democracy is common with other democratic transitions around the world; weak institutions that were not enough strong enough against economic decline and social instability. However, the collapse of the Soviet Union left the state in a unique position where the borders of the state, the identity of the people and its economic and political systems where are to be considered at the same time. Gorbachev’s effort to make the Soviet Union a “normal nation” began with the introduction of democratic reforms like the creation of a quasi-independent parliament. In addition to a new parliament, Russia accepted help from the West. While Russia was not a part of the Marshall Plan, Europe and the United States provided assistance to the Russian democratic transition through experts in the government and private sector. However, through the rapid period of the economy privatization it created a large amount of rich new elites when the poverty levels of the general population skyrocketed. The term “shock therapy” was given for this rapid reform of the government; in 1988, 96% of the Russian labor force was dependent on the state for employment and all of the population’s income from this or transfers from the state. The number of people in poverty from 1988 to 1994 increased from 2 percent of the population to 50 percent. Russia had two privatization programs: the first one passed by the Supreme Soviet was signed by Yeltsin in 1992 and the second in 1995 was a presidential decree had the most dramatic affect. The second privatization led to the rise of oligarchs who gave loans to the government and received stakes for the money to not be repaid; while all of this was happening murder and corruption ran rampant. Typically, the first president of country set the tone of how things are run and Yeltsin and the tensions between his government were quite high. After a time, Vladimir Putin rose to power and began to systematically centralize power to the presidency. During this he began his assault on civil society, which was already quite small and lacking political direction and therefore, led to the Russian population having no institutionalized way to express their views or seek political change. Russia is the perfect example of a new political institution being created but separated from its people and society. The Russian people have never had their own institutions to use or trust which would have given them legitimacy.

During the Cold War, the Poles maintained their fiery sense of nationalism more than ever among nations throughout this period. For years the Poles fought against the Soviet Union and demanded better until martial law was declared on December 12, 1981.After this declaration, many were imprisoned, and the military was in control and basic rights were suspended. However, this did not stop them from fighting for freedom! Rice goes into explain how Gorbachev’s laid the frame work for the collapse of communism is Poland. In the late 1970s, the Polish Pope John Paul II emerged as the leader of the Catholic church and provided inspiration to Poland’s drive for freedom against the communist rule. Another strength in Poland’s transition were the workers, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) provided financial support to the Polish organization the Committee for Workers’ Defense also known as Solidarity. Tadeusz Mazowiecki, the founder of Solidarity was asked to form a government on August 19. After the formation of a new government Poland was offered foreign aid; in total the Polish American Enterprise was granted $240 million. Another major factor that led to this successful democratic transition was the influence of the European Union and NATO. The influences of the European Union and NATO placed an important focus of the reforms on institutional change. Poland successfully joined North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. Currently, the young democratic institutions of Poland are being tested by the clash of conservative social attitudes with the liberal beliefs of Europe. These rifts are not likely to destroy Poland’s democracy because democracy never develops in a straight in a line along with the fact that the Poles still have their fiery attitudes. The independent press and civil society of Poland are fighting back vigorously, just as their ancestors did on their path to freedom.

At the 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest Vladimir Putin stated, that “Ukraine is a made-up country.” This comment is what many Russians believe and is a snapshot of how Ukraine history is entangled with Russian. Kiev had its first democratic openings with the Gorbachev’s reforms, in 1988 a nationalist movement began known as the Ukrainian People’s Movement for Restructuring. Ukraine was declared sovereign in 1990 by newly elected parliament but they stopped short of calling it an independent state but declared it independent in 1991. Overall Ukraine has experienced three revolutions in 25 years: independence the Orange Revolution, and the Maidan. In November 21, 2013 Ukraine announced it would no longer seek an accord with the European Union which launched Ukraine into its a third revolution. After three months of chaos, the Ukraine president accepted a $15 billion loan from Russian. Less than a year later in February of 2014, Russian forces seized Crimea. Since their independence, Ukraine’s economy has grown but in the last 7 years it has contracted. For example, in 2015 the economy contracted by 10 percent most likely due to stagnation in industrial regions like Donetsk. While Ukraine is plagued with questions about its future, they have survived which means its leaders can still transform Ukraine to a stable democracy.

The Future of Democracy

There is a moral and practical case for the promotion of democracy promotion. Throughout history democracies do not fight with one another, there are many years of democratic peace Two years ago in 2016, Freedom House ranked 145 out 195 countries as “free” or “partly free”. Rice states that the United States is living proof that the work of a democracy is never done.

In the past five years, the world has seen the rise of populism, nativism, and isolation. In this rise, there was a revolt against political elite and their institutions, that left many people pondering, “what will come next?” In fact, these problems effected countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States. Voters in the United Kingdom voted in” Brexit” and rejected the participation in the European Union, the goal behind this was regain control of the country’s borders and economic policies. In the United States, the election of a new president with no political background who criticized the political elites became the topic throughout the political space. Rice names populism, nativism, isolationism, and isolation as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, but reaffirms that democratic institutions are stronger.

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Lesson Plans – Universal Declaration of Human Rights

A re Human Rights Universal? Source: HRE USA Using hypothetical examples, students will discuss the concept of universal human rights and their personal thoughts and opinions on the issues. Students will be asked to read or listen to various news articles about the topics, conduct their own research, and prepare notes for a discussion. The purpose is to use current and personal examples in order to engage students in the discussion of human rights.

Grade Level : high school Subject Area : social studies

“Close to Home” – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Source: UN Visitor’s Center Teaching Guide and Resources for two lessons: Understanding the UDHR introduces the UDHR engages students with specific rights; Everyday Human Rights relates rights to daily life.

Grade Level : K-4; 5-8 Subject Area: social studies

Competing Visions of Human Rights: Questions for U.S. Policy Source: The Choices Program, Brown University] A challenging seven-lesson curriculum that addresses human rights concepts, practice, and controveries.

Grade Level : high school Subject Area: social studies, history, civics

Educating for Human Dignity: Learning about Rights and Responsibilities Author: Betty Reardon,  Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press It is the first resource offering both guidance and support materials for human rights education programs from kindergarten through high school. It opens possibilities for an holistic approach to human rights education that directly confronts the values issues raised by human rights problems in a context of global interrelationships. Designed for both teachers and teacher educators. Grade Level:  Adults, educators, teacher educators

Eleanor Roosevelt and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Source: National Park Service Focuses on Eleanor Roosevelt’s role. Compares the UDHR with Magna Carta and the US Bill of Rights. Grade Level:  high school Subject Area:  social studies, history

Going Global – Investigating Global Issues of Interest and Importance Source: HRE USA In this independent research project, students focus on areas of interest to them based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and then study a location that is a hotbed of violations of their chosen human right. The long-term study culminates with a structured presentation of their topic with the intent to raise awareness of Human Rights issues and the intent of proposing a potential solution utilizing specific problem-solving steps. Grade Level: middle school Subject Area: social studies

Human Rights Source: Anti-defamation League Introduces the UDHR and relates rights to students’ communities and experiences

Grade Level:  high school Subject Area:  social studies, civics

Human Rights Here and Now: Celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Publisher: Amnesty International, University of Minnesota Human Rights Center, The Stanley Foundation, 1998 Full curriculum that provides an introduction to the UDHR and human rights and human rights education, lesson plans, activities for taking action, and a human rights glossary. Grade Level: middle – high school

Human Rights, Responsibilities, and You Publisher: The Advocates for Human Rights Three lessons that introduce human rights and personal responsibility for their realization in everyday life. Grade Level:  middle school Subject Area:  social studies

I Have a Right to … Source: BBC World Service A collection of case studies that illustrate specific human rights with contemporary examples. Grade Level:  high school Subject Area:  social studies, current events, geography

Introduction to Human Rights Lesson Plan Source: PBS NewsHour Classroom, AFT An introduction to human rights with video. Grade Level:  middle school-high school Subject Area:  social studies, civics

Teaching Human Rights Author: David Shiman Publisher: Center for Teaching International Relations, 1993 The UDHR provides a useful framework for organizing this collection of curriculum activities on human rights. Can serve either as the core on human rights or a resource from which teachers can draw specific activities to integrate into existing curricula. Price : About $30 Grade Level : middle – high school Subject Area : social studies, government

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Source:  Facing History and Ourselves Reading and discussion on the history and significance of the UDHR. Grade Level : middle – high school Subject Area : history, social studies, government

Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Lesson Plan Source: Academy 4 Social Change Covers the meaning of rights, the UDHR and its contemporary relevance. Grade Level : middle – high school Subject Area : history, social studies, government

The UDHR & Contemporary Issues Source: HRE USA This lesson asks students to correlate the UDHR to current newspaper articles which illustrate the portrayal of human rights in one of four situations (rights achieved, rights denied, rights violated, rights in conflict). Students will explain that situation, the correlation to the UDHR, and then write a reflection on the role of the UDHR in potentially resolving the situation. Grade Level : high school Subject Area : social studies

Using Inquiry-Based Research to Highlight Contemporary Human Rights Challenges Source: HRE USA Students will be introduced to the concept of Human Rights and tasked with finding how they are still applicable to our world today. This series of lessons will begin with a general introduction to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Following this, students will design their own questions about what human rights abuses may still be occurring today. The lesson will culminate in students creating an infographic, which will then be shared with the class. Grade Level : high school Subject Area : social studies

The World as It Could Be Publisher: The World as It Could Be Full curriculum that uses the creative arts to deepen learning about the UDHR and provide opportunities for the youth to, in turn, teach their peers and adults about the importance of manifesting the words of the UDHR.  Lesson plans are designed to encourage a progression of learning that starts with objective knowledge, moves to personal connection to both human rights concepts and issues, and then engagement to play a role in advancing UDHR principles. Grade Level: middle – high school Subject Area: social studies, language arts, drama, music

A World at Peace Source: PBS In this lesson students to brainstorm the basic rights of people everywhere, explore in basic terms the UDHR and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and then use international photography galleries as part of a multimedia creative writing assignment imagining a world at peace. Grade Level: elementary school Subject Area: social studies

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Global Citizenship Curriculum Project - Georgetown University

• Course Module
• Global Dialogues

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Adopted by the UN General Assembly, December 1, 1948

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,

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,

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,

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.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

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

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

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

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

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

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

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.

No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

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

Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

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

This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Everyone has the right to a nationality.

No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, 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.

Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.

No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

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 and regardless of frontiers.

Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

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

Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.

The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

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

Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.

Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.

Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

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

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 and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

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.

Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

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

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

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.

These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

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