"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. . ."

-from the Preamble, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

December is Universal Human Rights Month. The belief that everyone, by virtue of her or his humanity, is entitled to certain human rights is fairly new. Its roots, however, lie in earlier tradition and documents of many cultures; it took the catalyst of World War II to propel human rights onto the global stage and into the global conscience.

Throughout much of history, people acquired rights and responsibilities through their membership in a group – a family, indigenous nation, religion, class, community, or state. Most societies have had traditions similar to the "golden rule" of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." In fact, all societies, whether in oral or written tradition, have had systems of propriety and justice as well as ways of tending to the health and welfare of their members.

The extermination by Nazi Germany of over six million Jews, Sinti and Romani, homosexuals, and persons with disabilities horrified the world. Trials were held and officials from the defeated countries were punished for committing what was newly codified as "crimes against humanity." Governments then committed themselves to establishing the United Nations, with the primary goal of bolstering international peace and preventing conflict. People wanted to ensure that never again would anyone be unjustly denied life, freedom, food, shelter, and nationality. Calls came from across the globe for human rights standards to protect citizens from abuses by their governments. These voices played a critical role in the 1945 meeting that drafted the United Nations Charter.

Member states of the United Nations pledged to promote respect for the human rights of all. To advance this goal, the UN established a Commission on Human Rights and charged it with the task of drafting a document spelling out the meaning of  fundamental rights and freedoms. The Commission, guided by Eleanor Roosevelt’s forceful leadership, captured the world’s attention.

On December 10, 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the 56 members of the United Nations. The vote was unanimous, although eight nations chose to abstain.

The UDHR extended the revolution in international law ushered in by the United Nations Charter – namely, that how a government treats its own citizens is now a matter of legitimate international concern, and not simply a domestic issue. It claims that all rights are interdependent and indivisible. 

The influence of the UDHR has been substantial. Its principles have been incorporated into the constitutions of most of the more than 185 nations now in the UN. Although a declaration is not a legally binding document, the Universal Declaration has achieved the status of customary international law because people regard it "as a common standard of achievement for all people and all nations."

Click here to read the full declaration

Outline of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• Article 1 Right to Equality
• Article 2 Freedom from Discrimination
• Article 3 Right to Life, Liberty, Personal Security
• Article 4 Freedom from Slavery
• Article 5 Freedom from Torture and Degrading Treatment
• Article 6 Right to Recognition as a Person before the Law
• Article 7 Right to Equality before the Law
• Article 8 Right to Remedy by Competent Tribunal
• Article 9 Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest and Exile
• Article 10 Right to Fair Public Hearing
• Article 11 Right to be Considered Innocent until Proven Guilty
• Article 12 Freedom from Interference with Privacy, Family, Home and Correspondence
• Article 13 Right to Free Movement in and out of the Country
• Article 14 Right to Asylum in other Countries from Persecution
• Article 15 Right to a Nationality and the Freedom to Change It
• Article 16 Right to Marriage and Family
• Article 17 Right to Own Property
• Article 18 Freedom of Belief and Religion
• Article 19 Freedom of Opinion and Information
• Article 20 Right of Peaceful Assembly and Association
• Article 21 Right to Participate in Government and in Free Elections
• Article 22 Right to Social Security
• Article 23 Right to Desirable Work and to Join Trade Unions
• Article 24 Right to Rest and Leisure
• Article 25 Right to Adequate Living Standard
• Article 26 Right to Education
• Article 27 Right to Participate in the Cultural Life of Community
• Article 28 Right to a Social Order that Articulates this Document
• Article 29 Community Duties Essential to Free and Full Development
• Article 30 Freedom from State or Personal Interference in the above Rights