The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights, drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world. Crafted in 1948 by the United Nations, it sets out the fundamental human rights to be universally protected, and it has been translated into over 500 languages.
Wiki: The Declaration consists of 30 articles detailing an individual’s “basic rights and fundamental freedoms” and affirming their universal character as inherent, inalienable, and applicable to all human beings, regardless of “nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status”.
Similar to an global constitution, it stands as a cornerstone for universal freedoms. However, like the constitution, it requires advocates and activists to interpret and enforce those tenets. Regardless of its good intentions and well crafted platitudes, the UDHR would remain a dead document unless people take it to the streets and fight for its application.
One such organization is Amnesty International. The stated mission of the organization is to campaign for “a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments. Wiki
Amnesty: Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 7 million people in over 150 countries and territories who campaign to end abuses of human rights. What we do:
- Research: Human rights change starts with the facts. Our experts do accurate, cross-checked research into human rights violations by governments and others worldwide.
- Advocacy and Lobbying: We use our analysis to influence and press governments, companies and decision-makers to do the right thing.
- Campaigns and Action: Through petitions, letters and protests, campaigners worldwide press for action from the people and institutions who can make change happen.
Give. Pray. Post. 