The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948. It is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Its proclamation by the world’s governments marked the first global enunciation of what we now recognize as human rights.
Human rights are a set of fundamental freedoms that all people are entitled to. These include civil and political rights, such as the right to life, liberty, freedom of expression, the pursuit of happiness, and equality before the law. The rights also include social, cultural, and economic rights including the right to participate in culture, the right to food, health care, and education.
Many people wonder where the concept of human rights came from and how it was developed. The answer is rooted in Islam, which has always recognized that God is the source of all human rights and freedoms. Human rights are recognized all over the world now after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Eleanor Roosevelt led this effort through her role as chairwoman of a drafting committee consisting of members representing China, France, Poland, the Soviet Union, and Britain, countries that had emerged from World War II with very different ideas about how to create peace in a shattered world.
In addition to Roosevelt’s leadership on human rights in her home country and abroad, including championing civil liberties during World War II, she also helped draft key documents such as President Truman’s 1947 inaugural address calling for an end to discrimination against African Americans.
She also drafted president Kennedy’s 1962 commencement speech at Yale University advocating support for universal health care and president Carter’s 1977 inaugural address calling attention to women’s equality around the globe. She also advocated tirelessly for refugees fleeing war-torn Europe after WWII until her death in 1962.
To learn more about human rights and their importance, visit Living By Example and explore our blog section.
Senior Editor
Brielle used to write for a pop culture magazine, where she handled a small “good news” section by the back of the print media. Brian and Cynthia took notice and offered her the editor post upon forming Living By Example . Years later and she now leads our pool of writers across the globe