60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The article "Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights" Navanethem Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights for the UN announces the anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), December 10, 1948. From 1945 to 1948, the horrors of World War II reinforced the demands of early twentieth century internationalists to establish a global bill of human rights that would obligate every nation to recognize and respect each individual. This idea was echoed in the stated aims of the newly formed United Nations in 1945. Pillay describes the UDHR as a landmark document that embodies the respect for individual human dignity and the document that has influenced laws and constitutions of individual countries, international law, and thousands of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that support the work of human rights around the world. He ends with a plea, "Only by attaining our universal human rights, we will be able to reach a higher standard of life and greater enjoyment of freedom that Eleanor Roosevelt and her co-drafters claimed for us 60 years ago."
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- Eleanor's Declaration
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (text)
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (video, Human Rights Action Center)
- Eleanor Roosevelt, "Address to the United Nations General Assembly on the Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights"
- Human Rights Action Center (videos)
- What is a "right"? Article 1 of the UDHR reads, "All people are born free and equal in dignity and in rights." They have universal rights, that span across time, culture, geography, race, or gender. What are these rights? Take a look at the rights (30 articles) listed in the UDHR, do they match up with yours?
- Why was the historical context, the end of World War II, vital to understanding this document? What had happened at this time? How might this have propelled Eleanor Roosevelt and other international leaders to take action?
- Pillay notes that there are "gaps in protecting people from fear, injustice, and inequality" and suggests we all need to do more to live up to the rights set out in the UDHR. After reading the UDHR, what can individuals, groups, and nations do to realize the rights laid out there?
Facing History has created a collection of resources that explore the themes, content, and history of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. You can find these resources (including resource books, classroom activities, scholar videos, and resource links) at http://www.facinghistory.org/udhr
