Many people are familiar with the idea that everyone has certain rights, like a right to food and a place to live. What is less well known is that all human beings, regardless of their country, religion, race or culture, are born with the same rights – they are called human rights. These fundamental rights are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations on 10 December 1948.
The Declaration is a foundational document that sets out, for the first time, rights that must be respected by all States. It was developed in the wake of the horrors of World War II, as a way to prevent a repeat of such atrocities and to create a world based on freedom, justice and peace. It has been translated into more than 500 languages and is a cornerstone of international law.
A unique system inside the United Nations called the Universal Periodic Review is designed to hold States accountable for upholding their human rights obligations. Every 4.5 years, all 193 States are subject to a peer review that allows them to commend each other for achievements and make recommendations for improvement. It is also the only process of its kind where civil society plays a central role in the review.
In addition, the United Nations has numerous other treaties and mechanisms that protect human rights through monitoring and enforcement. For example, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is a body that monitors the implementation of treaties on racial discrimination. The Human Rights Council, which replaced the Commission on Human Rights in 2006, is a body that brings together States and other stakeholders to address human rights situations. It also provides a venue for States to develop and strengthen their own national systems for the promotion and protection of human rights.
The human rights concept arose from the principle that all human beings, whatever their country, religion or culture, are equal in dignity and worth and have certain unalienable rights. This is a fundamental principle that can be found in the Declaration of Independence of the United States, where it states that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Many countries have also incorporated these principles into their constitutions, laws and institutions.
Some people challenge the universality of human rights and argue that some rights should not be applied to all countries, regions or cultures. This is a position known as cultural relativism. One example of this argument is the practice of female genital mutilation, which is considered to be a violation of women’s and girls’ rights by much of the international community even though it is deeply rooted in some cultures. It is important to remember that, as with any right, the exercise of human rights carries with it duties and responsibilities towards other people and the community.