Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Paris on December 10, 1948. Its Preamble stated, for the first time in global history, “that the recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.” The Declaration has since been translated into over 500 languages, says the UN website.The Declaration was adopted soon after the end of the Second World War, and reflects the concerns of its time when it states that “disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people”. The Declaration is not legally binding. The General Assembly, through its Preamble, proclaims