Universal Declaration of Human Rights

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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is an international document that states the basic rights and fundamental freedoms to which all human beings are entitled. It was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948, as a result of the experience and atrocities of the Second World War. It represented the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are entitled – regardless of nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status.

The Declaration consists of 30 articles, and a number of key principles including:

• Universality
• Interdependence and indivisibility
• Equality and non-discrimination

The declaration has been translated into law in various forms and has inspired more than 80 international human rights treaties and declarations, which together constitute a comprehensive, legally binding system for the promotion and protection of human rights.

The full text of the Declaration is published by the United Nations on its website.