The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 and is considered to be the foundational document of international human rights law.
The UDHR sets out a common standard of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all people, regardless of their race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. It consists of 30 articles that articulate the basic rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to, including the right to life, liberty, and security of person, freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to work and education.
While the UDHR is not a legally binding document, it has been widely recognised as a universal standard of human rights and has been incorporated into the laws and constitutions of many countries around the world. The UDHR has inspired the development of numerous other human rights treaties and instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
The UDHR remains a crucial tool for promoting and protecting human rights, and its principles continue to guide the work of governments, civil society organisations, and individuals around the world.
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