The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a document that was written to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms. While it may seem like a distant concept, the declaration has been used in many instances to ensure that humans are treated fairly. The declaration was first drafted in 1948, and has been revised several times since then.
The document consists of 30 articles that lay out the basic rights to which all humans are entitled, regardless of their nation, state, or social condition. These rights include freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman treatment; freedom of thought and conscience; freedom of opinion and expression; and the right to participate in government. The document also outlines the responsibility of nations to uphold these rights for all people within their jurisdiction.
In addition to protecting individual freedoms, the Declaration guarantees certain social and economic rights as well. These include the right to work, to just and favorable conditions of work, to form unions and other associations for collective bargaining; the right to equal pay for equal work; the right to form a family, including the right to marriage and parenthood; the right to education; and the right to an adequate standard of living.
