Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

Last revised by LocalRoot - 22 Jun 2026, 12:26

Revision history Page info Related changes

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a United Nations declaration adopted by the General Assembly on 10 December 1948. It sets out 30 articles describing basic rights and freedoms that apply to all people.

The UDHR was adopted after the Second World War and became the best-known statement of modern human rights principles. It is not itself a treaty, but it shaped later binding human rights instruments, national constitutions, regional systems and political campaigning.

Background

The United Nations was created in 1945, after the Second World War. The experience of war, genocide, mass displacement and authoritarian government shaped the move towards an international statement of rights.

The declaration was drafted through the UN Commission on Human Rights, with Eleanor Roosevelt chairing the drafting committee. It was adopted by the General Assembly in Paris as Resolution 217 A (III) on 10 December 1948.

Structure

The declaration has a preamble and 30 articles. The preamble links human dignity, equal rights, freedom, justice and peace. The articles then set out rights covering personal liberty, equality before the law, political participation, social security, work, education and cultural life.

Articles 1 and 2 establish dignity, equality and non-discrimination. Later articles address life, liberty, slavery, torture, legal personality, fair trial, privacy, movement, asylum, nationality, family life, property, thought, religion, expression, assembly, government, work, rest, living standards, education and culture.

Legal Status

The UDHR is a declaration rather than a treaty. States did not ratify it in the same way as a covenant or convention. Its importance comes from political authority, later treaty development, national adoption and its role as a common standard.

Many of its principles were later developed in binding treaties. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are central examples.

Main Themes

The declaration treats rights as universal. It does not limit them to citizens of a particular state or members of a particular class. It also presents rights as connected. Civil liberties, political participation, social provision and cultural life are all part of the same framework.

The declaration also recognises duties and limits. Article 29 refers to duties to the community and allows limits determined by law for purposes such as respecting the rights of others and meeting just requirements of morality, public order and general welfare in a democratic society.

Influence

The UDHR has influenced constitutions, laws, courts, education, advocacy and international treaties. It is often cited by governments, courts, campaigners, lawyers, academics and international bodies when discussing human dignity and state responsibility.

Its influence does not mean that every state follows it in practice. The declaration is frequently used as a measure for criticising torture, arbitrary detention, censorship, discrimination, political repression and denial of social rights.

References

Discussion log

Use comments for sourcing notes, corrections, and disputed details.

No comments yet.