8.4A - the UDHR
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a statement of intent and framework for foreign policy statements to explain economic or military intervention but not all states have signed the declaration.
Background (not essential)
Human rights are shared principles or values, which some argue are universal, giving humans certain rights that should never be denied. They set standards of human behaviour by being made into laws - either at a national or international level.
The term dates to the 18th century, however some of the concepts (such as the right to life and freedom) are much older.
Precursors to the modern concept of human rights can be found in:
These documents asserted the idea that people are born free, that governments should be elected freely and that property cannot be confiscated from people by those in power. The idea of a free and fair trial was also important. However, these historical documents often focussed on the rights of property-owning men, and had much less to say about the rights of women, slaves or peasants.
The term dates to the 18th century, however some of the concepts (such as the right to life and freedom) are much older.
Precursors to the modern concept of human rights can be found in:
- the English Bill of Rights, 1689
- the United States Declaration of Independence, 1777
- the French Declaration of the Rights of the Man and of the Citizen, 1789
These documents asserted the idea that people are born free, that governments should be elected freely and that property cannot be confiscated from people by those in power. The idea of a free and fair trial was also important. However, these historical documents often focussed on the rights of property-owning men, and had much less to say about the rights of women, slaves or peasants.
the UDHR
In 1948 the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in order to make the human rights specified in the 1945 United Nations Charter more clearly defined. It was largely a response to the Holocaust inflicted by the Nazis during the Second World War, to ensure that such actions were never repeated. It led to the deaths of up to 17 million people.
Since it's adoption, the UDHR has been used:
It is an important document for foreign policy because it informs the actions of countries towards other sovereign states.
Some examples of articles:
In 1948, only the 58 UN-members voted on the UDHR. (48 in favour, 8 abstentations, 2 non-votes). Countries that have joined the UN since then have agreed to it as they joined. However, some subsequent human rights agreements have not been adopted by all UN member states.
Not all countries signed the UDHR:
There have been two further covenants, (to serve as a legal framework to enforce the UDHR) and other additions.
Since it's adoption, the UDHR has been used:
- to place political pressure on countries seen to be denying people basic human rights, and to press for change
- as a justification for economic sanctions against countries
- as a justification for military intervention in foreign countries seen to be committing genocide or widespread human rights abuses.
It is an important document for foreign policy because it informs the actions of countries towards other sovereign states.
Some examples of articles:
- Article 1: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights
- Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
- Article 5: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
- 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 14: (1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) 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 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 20:
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association. - Article 26: (1) 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.
- (2) 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.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
In 1948, only the 58 UN-members voted on the UDHR. (48 in favour, 8 abstentations, 2 non-votes). Countries that have joined the UN since then have agreed to it as they joined. However, some subsequent human rights agreements have not been adopted by all UN member states.
Not all countries signed the UDHR:
- the Soviet Union - because it considered that the Declaration did not sufficiently condemn Fascism and Nazism
- South Africa - to protect its system of apartheid, where people were segregated by skin colour and race, because that contravened the Declaration
- Saudi Arabia - because of the article that 'everyone has the right to change their religion or belief'
- Also as women's rights are controversial issue. Only allowed to vote in 2015. May be segregated (e.g. using a separate counter at McDonald's)
There have been two further covenants, (to serve as a legal framework to enforce the UDHR) and other additions.
