75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Context- December 10, 2023 marked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is an important document that affirms the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

• On December 10, 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at its meeting in Paris.  
• It created one of the cornerstones of the international order that emerged after the horrors of World War II.  
• It was a response to the atrocities of the Second World War and an attempt to create a common understanding of the fundamental rights and freedoms to which all people are entitled.  

About 

• A relatively compact document, the declaration consists of a preamble and 30 articles defining fundamental rights and freedoms.  
• These 30 articles express a wide range of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.  
  • These rights are considered universal, meaning that they apply to all people regardless of nationality, ethnic background, gender, religion or  other status.  
• It is not a legally binding treaty, but it has been a source of inspiration for the development of international human rights legislation. 

Features

• Preamble

• • • The preamble outlines the reasons for adopting the declaration and emphasizes the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family.  

• Articles 

• • The UN Convention on Human Rights consists of 30 articles that express a wide range of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.  
• Some examples of rights described in a human rights document include: 
  • the right to life, liberty and security; 
  • the right to freedom of religion;  
  • expression and assembly; 
  • right to work and education; and 
  • the right to an adequate standard of living.  
• The declaration states that “all are equal before the law” and that everyone has the right to “a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal.” 
  • And it says that “everyone has the right to seek and  enjoy asylum from persecution in other countries.” 

UNDHR achievements 

• According to the United Nations, it is credited with inspiring and paving the way for more than 70 human rights treaties at the global and regional levels. 
• It inspired the decolonization movement, the anti-apartheid movement.  
• It also inspires freedom fighters around the world, whether it’s about gender issues,  LGBTIQ+ issues or anti-racism. 

What is the situation now? 

• The 75th anniversary comes at a time when human rights are being challenged in Israel’s war with Hamas, Russia’s war in Ukraine, internal conflicts in Myanmar and Sudan, and many other places and situations. 
• United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Universal Declaration had been abused too often. 
  • It is exploited for political gain and often ignored by the  same people. 
• According to Amnesty International, however, the declaration is living proof that a global vision of human rights is possible and implementable. 
• No matter how many times the Declaration has been ignored or misused, it remains important and the world should respect its successes and learn from its failures.

Source: Indian Express

Practice question:

Q. Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflects the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)? (2020)

1. Preamble
2. Directive Principles of State Policy
3. Fundamental Duties

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

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