Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. The Guinness Book of Records describes the UDHR as the "Most Translated Document" in the world. The Declaration arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled. It consists of 30 articles which have been elaborated in subsequent international treaties, national constitutions and laws. The International Bill of Human Rights consists of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its two Optional Protocols. In 1966 the General Assembly adopted the two detailed Covenants which complete the International Bill of Human Rights; and in 1976, after the Covenants had been ratified by a sufficient number of individual nations, the Bill took on the force of international law.

The Universal Declaration was adopted by the General Assembly on 10 December 1948 by a vote of 48 in favour, 0 against, with 8 abstentions (all Soviet Bloc states, South Africa and Saudi Arabia). The adoption of the Universal Declaration is a significant international commemoration marked each year on 10 December and is known as Human Rights Day or International Human Rights Day. The commemoration is observed by individuals, community and religious groups, human rights organisations, parliaments, governments and the United Nations.

Legal Effect Some international lawyers believe that the Declaration forms part of customary international law and is a powerful tool in applying diplomatic and moral pressure to governments that violate any of its articles. The declaration has served as the foundation for two binding UN human rights covenants, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It continues to be widely cited by academics, advocates and constitutional courts.

Preamble

The Universal Declaration begins with a preamble consisting of seven paragraphs followed by a statement "proclaiming" the Declaration.

Each paragraph of the preamble sets out a reason for the adoption of the Declaration. The first paragraph asserts that the recognition of human dignity of all people is the foundation of justice and peace in the world. The second paragraph observes that disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind and that the four freedoms: freedom of speech and belief, and freedom from fear and want have been "proclaimed as the highest aspiration" of the people. The third paragraph states that so that people are not compelled to rebellion against tyranny, human rights should be protected by rule of law. The fourth paragraph relates human rights to the development of friendly relations between nations. The fifth paragraph links the Declaration back to the United Nations Charter which reaffirms faith in fundamental human rights and dignity and worth of the human person. The sixth paragraph notes that all members of the United Nations have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The seventh paragraph observes that "a common understanding" of rights and freedoms is of "the greatest importance" for the full realization of that pledge.

 

Human Rights Set out in the Declaration

Article 1

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.

Article 2

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. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3

Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.

Article 4

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6

Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8

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.

Article 9

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10

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.

Article 11

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.

No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

Article 12

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 13

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.

Article 14

Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution. This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 15

Everyone has the right to a nationality. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

Article 16

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. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.

Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Article 17

Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.

No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 18

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20

Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 21

Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.

The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 22

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 23

Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.

Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.

Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.

Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Article 24

Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25

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 and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26

Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Article 27

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.

Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Article 28

Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Article 29

Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.

In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.

These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 30

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.

3. Give the Ukrainian equivalents to the following words and phrases.

A. the first global expression of rights; to be elaborated in subsequent international treaties; to be ratified by a sufficient number of individual nations; vote of 48 in favour, 0 against, with 8 abstentions; a powerful tool in applying diplomatic and moral pressure to governments that violate any of its articles; to be widely cited by academics, advocates and constitutional courts; the foundation of justice and peace in the world; barbarous acts; freedom of speech and belief; freedom from fear; to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights and dignity; the promotion of universal respect

B. endowed with reason and conscience; right to life, liberty, and security; to be held in slavery or servitude; to have the right to an effective remedy; full equality to a fair and public hearing; charged with a penal offence; to constitute a penal offence; to be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy; to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution; to be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality; men and women of full age; free and full consent of the intending spouses; to manifest one’s religion in teaching, practice, worship and observance; the right of equal access to public service; social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity; the right to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work; an existence worthy of human dignity; supplemented by other means of social protection; reasonable limitation of working hours; born in or out of wedlock; compulsory education; to share in scientific advancement and its benefits

4. Find the English equivalents to the following words and phrases.

A. права, на які всі люди по своєму єству мають право; набути сили міжнародного право; визначна міжнародна річниця, яка відмічається щорічно; визнання гідності всіх людей; неповага та зневага прав людини; обурювати совість людства; найвище прагнення людей; примушувати на повстання проти тиранії; брати на себе зобов’язання досягти; дотримання прав людини

B. народитися вільним та рівним у гідності та правах; без будь-якої відмінності; бути приреченим на тортури; порушувати фундаментальні права; підлягати свавільному арешту, затриманню або засланню; припускатися невинним поки вина не доведена; через дію чи бездіяльність; дії, які суперечать цілям та принципам ООН; відмовити в праві змінити національність; бути позбавленим власності; розголошувати інформацію; загальне та рівне виборче право; мати право на справедливе та сприятливе винагородження; вступити до профспілок; нестача засобів для існування; вільний та повний розвиток особистості; відповідати справедливим вимогам; як надання будь-якій державі.

5. Match the definition in the right column to the word in the left.

1. to entitle	a. the act of furthering the growth or development of sth; the act of being raised in position or rank;
2. subsequent	b. the state of being a slave or completely subject to sb;
3. to elaborate	c. holding sb in custody;
4. promotion	d. something neglected or left undone;
5. dignity	e. to make a request; to put something into effect;
6. servitude	f. give a right to;
7. omission	g. a form of religious practice with its set of beliefs and rituals;
8. to invoke	h. to work out, describe, in detail;
9. detention	i. being worth, honoured, or esteemed;
10. worship	j. later, following;

 

6. Fill in the gaps with the suitable word. A:

Protocol (2); abstention; manifested; conscience; covenant (2); endows; asylum; subsequent; contempt of court; entitled; persecution; incitement; inherently; aspiration; elaborate;

1. There is nothing __________ improbable in this tradition. 2. If you fail three times, you are not __________ to try any more. 3. Condition _________ refers to an event or state of affairs, such that its occurrence will bring an end to something else. 4. Please _________ your proposals a little. 5. A __________, in its most general sense, is a solemn promise to engage in or refrain from a specified action. A _________ is also used to describe a contract or a legally binding promise. 6. The Kyoto ________ is a _________ to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, aimed at combating global warming. 7. __________ is a term in election procedure for when a participant in a vote either does not go to vote (on election day) or, in parliamentary procedure, is present during the vote, but does not cast a ballot. 8. _____________ is a court order which, in the context of a court trial or hearing, declares a person or organization to have disobeyed or been disrespectful of the court's authority. 9. __________ is an ability that distinguishes whether one's actions are right or wrong. 10. __________ is a pure upward desire for excellence. 11. Sickness ___________ the mind with a new perceptiveness. 12. In English criminal law, _________ was an anticipatory common law offence and was the act of persuading, encouraging, instigating, pressuring, or threatening so as to cause another to commit a crime. 13. Right of ___________ is an ancient juridical notion, under which a person persecuted for political opinions or religious beliefs in his or her own country may be protected by another sovereign authority, or a foreign country. 14. ____________ is the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another group. 15. He chose his companions for some individuality of character which they ____________.

B: Fill in the appropriate proposition or adverb where necessary.

1. ___ the United States of America, a person is entitled ___ social security ___ the entitlement program. 2. His disease was subsequent ___ the death ____ both his parents. 3. Please elaborate ___ this question, we need to know more. 4. The United Nations Declaration ___ the Rights ___ Indigenous Peoples was adopted ___ the United Nations General Assembly ____ its 62nd session ___ UN Headquarters ___ New York City ___ 13 September 2007. 5. I’ve decided to abstain ___voting. 6. Freedom ___ conscience is the freedom ___an individual to hold or consider a fact, viewpoint, or thought, independent ___ others' viewpoints. 7. I can't tell you ____ the investigation, I'm pledged ___ secrecy. 8. Man is endowed ____ reason. 9. He confessed ____ torture. 10. Incitement ___ racial or ethnic hatred is a crime ___ the laws ___ a number ___ countries.

 

7. Answer the following questions.

1. What does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights represent? 2. Which subsequent documents have elaborated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? 3. What does the International Bill of Human Rights consist of? 4. What is the legal effect of the Universal Declaration? 5. What are the main provisions of a) the first paragraph? b) the second paragraph? c) the third paragraph? d) the fourth paragraph? e) the fifth paragraph? f) the sixth paragraph? g) the seventh paragraph? 6. What are the main human rights concerning: a) equality; b) justice and defence in court; c) protection against such interference in private law; d) protection against persecution; e) citizenship; f) marriage and family; g) property; h) fundamental freedoms; i) government of the country; j) social security; k) education; l) cultural and moral values?

8. Fill in the gaps with the suitable word from the list below.