Udhr Universality Approved
Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Universality Approved
Introduction and Background: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a significant triumph for humanity. This paper argues that UDHR is universal and does represent all people of the world because it is human centered, has global appeal, considers universality and diversity, and is ethically, more than legally, binding.
UDHR was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 and is now accepted by all countries. Its Preamble acknowledges that ‘recognition of the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all individuals is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world’ (United Nations 1948). UDHR comprises 30 rights which are considered as "a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations" (UN, 1948). The inception of UDHR after the devastating period of the world wars, and the worldwide consensus it gains supports its human-based foundation and universal appeal. Mutua (2007) notes that ‘there appears to be consensus within the UN and among states, academics, and human rights advocates that the UDHR is the most significant embodiment of human rights standards’. Any critique against it is only against minor parts, some perceived omissions, misinterpretations, or concerns of implementations due to what is called by Freeman (2012) as States Sovereignty, but cannot refute the universality of UDHR. Hence, this paper argues that UDHR is universal and refutes the emerged critique that it is merely a western ideology.
UDHR is Human-Centered: It is crystal clear that all the rights in UDHR are common rights that no reason would confine to the West or the South; the right to life, marry, work, and justice, the freedom of thought, religion, expression and assembly, the elimination of slavery, discrimination, torture, arbitrary arrest. Every human is entitled to these rights regardless of his/her origin. These rights are crucial for individuals and
Introduction and Background: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a significant triumph for humanity. This paper argues that UDHR is universal and does represent all people of the world because it is human centered, has global appeal, considers universality and diversity, and is ethically, more than legally, binding.
UDHR was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 and is now accepted by all countries. Its Preamble acknowledges that ‘recognition of the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all individuals is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world’ (United Nations 1948). UDHR comprises 30 rights which are considered as "a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations" (UN, 1948). The inception of UDHR after the devastating period of the world wars, and the worldwide consensus it gains supports its human-based foundation and universal appeal. Mutua (2007) notes that ‘there appears to be consensus within the UN and among states, academics, and human rights advocates that the UDHR is the most significant embodiment of human rights standards’. Any critique against it is only against minor parts, some perceived omissions, misinterpretations, or concerns of implementations due to what is called by Freeman (2012) as States Sovereignty, but cannot refute the universality of UDHR. Hence, this paper argues that UDHR is universal and refutes the emerged critique that it is merely a western ideology.
UDHR is Human-Centered: It is crystal clear that all the rights in UDHR are common rights that no reason would confine to the West or the South; the right to life, marry, work, and justice, the freedom of thought, religion, expression and assembly, the elimination of slavery, discrimination, torture, arbitrary arrest. Every human is entitled to these rights regardless of his/her origin. These rights are crucial for individuals and
References: United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1984 Michael Freeman (2011). Human Rights, 2nd edition. Polity Press, Cambridge, UK. Johannes Morsink (1999). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: origins, drafting and intent. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, USA. Eva Brems (2001). Human Rights: Universality and Diversity. Kluwer Law International, MA, USA.