Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All 

To celebrate Human Rights Day 2022, Project Officer Elinor Mattey, explains the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  

December 10th is the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. The UDHR was drafted by global leaders as a preventative measure following the catastrophic events of WWII. It is the first document to bring the importance of the rights of individuals within the protection of international law; expressly stating the fundamental rights and freedoms we are entitled to simply by virtue of being human.  Since its adoption, it has been translated into 548 languages, making it the most translated document in the world. Ahead of its milestone 75th Birthday in 2023; the OHCHR is launching a year-long campaign to promote global awareness of the UDHR and showcase it by focussing on its legacy, relevance and activism.  

Legacy  

The preamble to the Declaration has created a long-standing legacy which recognises the ‘inherent dignity’ and ‘equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family’, as the ‘foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world’. It is these principles which underpin the 30 articles contained in the Declaration and are used as the benchmark for human rights standards. Its legacy is the continuous reference to the UDHR, which acts as the blueprint for further protection, setting a common standard of achievement for the respect of universal rights, whether that be nationally or internationally.  

Relevance 

Although drafted over 70 years ago, its language is timeless. It refers to the ‘barbarous acts’ which came as a result of the ‘disregard and contempt for human rights’. This is of great relevance to us today, especially when current global injustices demonstrate how human rights protection is often overlooked. Climate change, misogyny and violence against women, racial injustices, hostile asylum environments, the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, misinformation and censorship, conflicts and financial hardships to name but a few. The drive for peace upon which the UDHR was built must be upheld. Governments must utilise the incredible human rights framework it has created and maintain its legacy by demonstrating respect to, and protection of, universal human rights.  

Activism  

Activism is an important accountability mechanism to call for change or recognition of rights. Activist movements allow people, whether individually or collectively, to hold Governments or organisations accountable. The role of human rights defenders in ‘everyday activism’ is elementary, but human rights activism is ‘far from glamourous’ and many have been subjected to torture, imprisonment or have been killed for speaking up.  

But there is also power in conversation and education. Awareness, recognition and discussion of the rights contained in the UDHR creates a space for accountability and achievement. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said this morning that ‘human rights violations anywhere, concern all of us everywhere’. Which reflects the purpose of the UDHR in binding humanity as equal members deserving of rights.  

To read the UDHR, click here. Happy Human Rights Day!