Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, the UDHR is a milestone document in the history of human rights. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected. Below are the 30 articles simplified for youth advocacy.
Introduction
The United Nations (UN) came into being in 1945, shortly after the end of World War II.
The stated purpose of the UN is to bring peace to all nations of the world. After World War II, a committee of persons headed by Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, wrote a special document which “declares” the rights that everyone in the entire world should have—the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Today there are 192 member states of the UN, all of whom have signed on in agreement with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Where Do Universal Rights Begin?
"In small places, close to home—so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."
We Are All Born Free & 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.
Don't Discriminate
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.
The Right to Life
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
No Slavery
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
No Torture
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
You Have Rights No Matter Where You Go
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
We're All Equal Before the Law
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.
Your Human Rights Are Protected by Law
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 Unfair Detainment
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
The 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.
We're Always Innocent Till Proven Guilty
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.
The Right to Privacy
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation.
Freedom to Move
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.
The Right to Seek a Safe Place to Live
Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
Right to a 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.
Marriage and 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.
The Right to Your 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.
Freedom of Thought
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief.
Freedom of Expression
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference.
The Right to Public Assembly
Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
The Right to Democracy
Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
Social Security
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity.
Workers' Rights
Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
The Right to Play
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Food and Shelter for All
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.
The Right to Education
Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages.
Copyright
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.
A Fair and Free 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.
Responsibility
Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
No One Can Take Away Your Human Rights
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.