Question

Why is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights relevant in the 21st century?

• A. It serves as the foundation for the International Bill of Rights and several other crucial human rights agreements.
• B. It has been ratified by almost every country in the world.
• C. It serves as a touchstone for actions by governments, individuals, and non-governmental groups.
• D. It provides a list of civil, political, and economic rights that can be legally enforced universally.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

It serves as a touchstone for actions by governments, individuals, and non-governmental groups.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) contains 30 articles that have been embedded in international treaties, national constitutions and other laws. It was adopted and proclaimed on 10 December, 1948, by the General Assembly of the United Nations. It represents the ideal that governments around the world should strive to meet. It has been ratified by almost every country and it serves as a touchstone for several other crucial human rights agreements. Many of its 30 articles deal with civil and political rights, which protect individuals from government and from state-condoned private abuses. The UDHR is not a treaty, so it does not directly create legal obligations for countries. However, it has had a profound influence on the development of international human rights laws. Thus, the UDHR is a milestone document and is hugely relevant even in the 21st century.