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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights |
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Watching
the evening news and reading the newspapers can be overwhelming these
days. Human dignity is the cornerstone of Catholic social teaching.
Human dignity is also the foundation of our human rights system and the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Universal
Declaration of Human Rights has been translated into more than 300
languages. The web site of the Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights has all 300 languages listed (www.unhchr.ch/udhr/navigate/alpha.htm) and contains links to web sites from which the actual text can be downloaded.
The
UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
on December 10, 1948. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights begins
with the recognition "of the inherent dignity and of the equal and
inalienable rights of all members of the human family" as "the
foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world." A total of
thirty articles follow to articulate in more detail what those
universal human rights and fundamental freedoms are.
The
Universal Declaration of Human Rights was proclaimed as a "common
standard of achievement," and not as law; it therefore carries moral
weight. Over the years, many of its principles have gained legal weight
because: 1) subsequent human rights treaties are based on the
fundamental principles mentioned in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights; and 2) many countries refer to the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and/or have included its provisions in their domestic laws.
For additional information, go to UN cyberschoolbus at www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/humanrights.
This page contains further explanation of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights as well as suggestions on how to use it in an educational
setting. |
