BU YADYOK P3

Spring 2022-2023

READING
HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE UNITED NATIONS
General Reading

1945 Human rights for all 

The Charter of the United Nations was signed on 26 June 1945. It states that the main
objective of the new organization is ‘to save succeeding generations from the scourge of
war’ and ‘to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights.’ Article 1 of the Charter states
that one of the aims of the United Nations is to achieve international co-operation in
‘promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for
all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.’
The Articles of the Charter have the force of positive international law because the
Charter is a treaty and therefore a legally binding document. All United Nations Member
States must fulfil in good faith the obligations they have assumed under the Charter of
the United Nations, including the obligations to promote and respect human rights, to
promote observance of human rights, and to co-operate with the United Nations and
other nations to attain this aim. However, the Charter does not specify human rights and
does not establish any specific way to ensure their implementation in Member States.
1946 UN Commission on Human Rights 
In 1946, the UN established the Commission on Human Rights, the principal policy-
making body for human rights within the UN system.
Under the Chairmanship of Eleanor Roosevelt (USA), human rights activist and widow of
former U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, the Commission took up the job of defining
basic rights and freedoms. Key contributors included René Cassin (France), Charles Malik
(Lebanon), Peng Chun Chang (China), Hernan Santa Cruz (Chile), Alexandre
Bogomolov/Alexei Pavlov (Soviet Union), Lord Dukeston/Geoffrey Wilson (United
Kingdom), William Hodgson (Australia) and John Humphrey (Canada).
Originally composed of 18 member States, the Human Rights Commission now has 53
members who meet annually in Geneva to review human rights issues, develop and
codify new international norms, and make recommendations to Governments. Non-
governmental organizations play an active role.
 BU YADYOK P3
Spring 2022-2023

1948 Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 

After thorough scrutiny and 1,400 rounds of voting on practically every word and every
clause, the General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10
December 1948 in Paris.
The Universal Declaration is built on the fundamental principle that human rights are
based on the inherent dignity of every person. This dignity, and the rights to freedom and
equality which derive therefrom, are undeniable.
Although the Declaration does not have the binding force of a treaty, it has acquired
universal acceptability. Many countries have cited the Declaration or included its
provisions in their basic laws or constitutions. And many human rights covenants,
conventions and treaties concluded since 1948 have been built on its principles.
1948-1996 UNIVERSAL CODE OF HUMAN RIGHTS
One of the greatest achievements of the United Nations is the creation of a
comprehensive body of human rights legislation. For the first time in history, there exists
a universal code of human rights, one to which all nations can subscribe and to which all
people can aspire.
Since 1948, some 60 human rights treaties and declarations have been negotiated at the
United Nations. Some examples are:
1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
1961 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
1965 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
1979 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
1984 Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment
1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child
1990 International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and
Members of Their Families
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
For nearly half a century, the United Nations has recognized the need to establish an
international criminal court to prosecute and punish persons responsible for crimes
against humanity. In the absence of such a court, two ad-hoc criminal courts have been
set up to judge war crimes in the former Yugoslavia and in Rwanda.
On 17 July 1998, the international community reached an historic milestone when 120
States adopted the Rome Statute, the legal basis for establishing the permanent
International Criminal Court. 
The Rome Statute entered into force on 1 July 2002 after ratification by 60 countries.
 BU YADYOK P3
Spring 2022-2023

HUMAN RIGHTS INTO THE 21 CENTURY

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Growing international awareness, fostered by mass communications, has heightened the

sense of urgency for respect of human rights. Thousands of individuals and citizens
groups around the world are fighting for their rights and freedoms. United Nations
action for human rights continues. Yet millions of people around the world suffer some
serious violation or deprivation of their basic rights and freedoms—everything from
torture, rape and corrupt judicial systems to bonded labour, hunger and lack of access to
health services, housing, sanitation and water. Will there ever be a global culture of
human rights?
The global quest for commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights involves
everyone. The campaign relies heavily on thousands of dedicated individuals and citizens’
groups who often risk their lives for the cause. Increased involvement in the defense of
human rights helps to build an environment where freedom and dignity are expected
and respected. It is up to each and every one of us—from Presidents and Prime Ministers
to business executives, farmers and students—to work toward this dream.

Scan the text to answer the following questions.

1. What were the 2 main objectives of the UN in 1945?
a. ____________________________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________________
2. Why did the Charter have the force of positive international law?
________________________________________________________________________
3. In 1946, the commission took the job of doing what?
________________________________________________________________________
4. Where does the Human Rights Commission meet every year to review human rights
issues?
________________________________________________________________________
5. The fundamental principle of the Universal Declaration is that
______________________________________________________________________.
6. The Declaration does not have a binding force of a treaty, but it is universally
accepted because they can be seen in the ___________________________________
of many countries.
7. How many human rights treaties have been passed at the UN so far?
________________________________________________________________________
 BU YADYOK P3
Spring 2022-2023

8. The legal basis for establishing the permanent International Criminal court is called
the _______________________________________________________.