The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

Posted on September 6, 2023

This is simplified version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Built on varied legal systems and cultural traditions, the UDHR is an internationally agreed set of standards and obligations regarding how all human beings should be treated by others, including governments. The UDHR was campaigned for by New Zealand during the 1940s, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948, and reaffirmed by the world’s governments in 1993, 2000 and 2005.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights (Article 1)

All people everywhere are entitled to human rights without discrimination (2)

Everyone has the right to:

  • Life, liberty and security (3)
  • Freedom from slavery (4)
  • Freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment (5)
  • Recognition as a person before the law (6)
  • Equal protection of the law (7)
  • Effective remedy when rights are violated (8)
  • Freedom from unjust arrest, detention or exile (9)
  • A fair and public trial and to be presumed innocent until proved guilty (10 & 11)
  • Freedom from interference with privacy, family, home and reputation (12)
  • Freedom of movement (13)
  • Asylum from persecution (14)
  • A nationality (15)
  • Marry and have a family (16)
  • Own property (17)
  • Freedom of thought and religion (18)
  • Freedom of expression and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas (19)
  • Freedom of peaceful assembly and association (20)
  • Participation in the government of their country (21)
  • Social security and economic, social and cultural rights necessary for dignity and development (22)
  • Work for fair pay in a safe environment and to join a trade union (23)
  • Rest and leisure (24)
  • A standard of living adequate for health and well-being of self and family (25)
  • Education, that respects and helps realise human rights (26)
  • Participation in the cultural life of the community and benefit from science (27)
  • A social and international order in which rights can be fully realised (28)

 Everyone has duties to the community and must respect the rights of others (29)

No one has the right to take away any of these human rights (30)

 

Learn more here: Universal Declaration of Human Rights | OHCHR