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Unit 30: Brief Historical Background of Human Rights with Special Reference ...

One of the champions of the document was Eleanor Roosevelt, who sat as Chairwoman on the Notes
Commission when the document was drafted. Roosevelt also contributed a substantial amount
of text to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On 10 December 1948, the document was
officially ratified by 48 member nations, while eight abstained from voting.
Altogether, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights includes 30 articles which clearly outline
basic human rights such as freedom from torture and slavery. The Declaration is intended to
clearly and simply lay out all of the rights to which people are entitled around the world, and
it serves as an advisory statement rather than a legally binding document. Member countries of
the United Nations are encouraged to support these rights, while making copies of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights widely available.
Many of the articles in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are drawn on the already
existing bills of rights of several nations. The Declaration is intended to promote equality and
liberty, and it includes a number of articles which focus on basic legal protections, such as the
right to a fair trial. Women, children, and families are also addressed in several articles, because
these groups face specific issues. In addition, Article 29 indicates that humans and governments
have responsibilities to each other, to ensure that human rights are preserved and protected.
30.1.1 Meaning of Human Rights
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.
Declaration of Human Rights: The basic idea of human rights is that every person possesses
dignity by the fact alone of being a person. Human rights, which are inalienable and indivisible,
protect this dignity. The concept of human rights is based on a universal system of values
shared by all peoples, which offers a framework for the construction of a human rights system
with internationally recognised norms and standards. Human rights norms regulate the
relationship between the state and the people living under its responsibility. Governments
have the obligation to respect, protect and guarantee the rights and freedoms of people through
appropriate legislation and measures.
For example, the state must respect the freedom of opinion or privacy of the individual. Not
only is it not allowed to intervene in peaceful demonstrations, but it must also take active steps
to protect demonstrators from aggression by counter-demonstrators. Through preventive
measures and the punishment of violence it also safeguards the prohibition on torture and
inhuman or cruel treatment. Finally the state has the task of providing schools, hospitals,
teachers and doctors so as to guarantee the right to education and health care.
30.1.2 Historical Background
During the Second World War the allies adopted the Four Freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom
of assembly, freedom from fear and freedom from want, as their basic war aims. The United
Nations Charter “reaffirmed faith in fundamental human rights, and dignity and worth of the
human person” and committed all member states to promote “universal respect for, and
observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race,
sex, language, or religion”.
When the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany became apparent after the Second World War,
the consensus within the world community was that the United Nations Charter did not
sufficiently define the rights it referenced. A universal declaration that specified the rights of
individuals was necessary to give effect to the Charter’s provisions on human rights.
The Commission on Human Rights, a standing body of the United Nations, was constituted to
undertake the work of preparing what was initially conceived as an International Bill of Rights.
The membership of the Commission was designed to be broadly representative of the global
community with representatives of the following countries serving: Australia, Belgium,
Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Chile, China, Egypt, France, India, Iran, Lebanon, Panama,
Philippines, United Kingdom, United States, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Uruguay and
Yugoslavia. Well known members of the Commission included Eleanor Roosevelt of the United

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