Universal Declaration of Human Rights Assignment

The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights
Table of Contents

1) What do you think is the purpose of the Declaration of Human Rights? Is it effective?............3
2) Choose two Articles that you think are among the most important in the Declaration. Explain
what these mean to you and why you think they are important......................................................3
3) What moral/ethical principles and theories are reflected in the Articles you chose?..................4
4) For which real-world issues in our modern society do the Articles you chose have relevance
and applicability? Be specific..........................................................................................................5
References........................................................................................................................................5
1) What do you think is the purpose of the Declaration of Human Rights? Is it
effective?
The Declaration of Human Rights is a universal document internationally approved that states
that the basic fundamental rights of freedom of speech, belief, dignity, equality, religion, and all

others that human beings are entitled to were proclaimed by the United Nations General
Assembly in Paris on 10th December 1948. It consists of 30 Articles that sets out obligations as
uniform standards to be followed by all people of all nations. The examples of these are freedom
from fear, freedom from torture, right to life, freedom from inhuman treatment.
This declaration has proved to be very effective as every state in the world has accepted this
declaration. It has been translated in to 360 languages and it is relevant to all societies whether
in conflicts or in peace. This declaration proved to be a catalyst for expanding human rights
protection to other groups like disabled, indigenous women and other people (Equality Human
Rights, 2018).
2) Choose two Articles that you think are among the most important in the
Declaration. Explain what these mean to you and why you think they are
important.
Article -2 and Article -19 are among the most important articles in the declaration (OHCHAR,
2018).
I feel that Article 19 is important as I am of the opinion that the most important declaration is
freedom of speech and expression. This is prerequisite for a free democratic society. This
freedom promotes openness, freedom of thinking, and advocates innovativeness.
Article 2 states that everyone without distinction has the right to freedom. This applies to all
people across the globe and it encompasses everyone irrespective of caste, creed, religion,
ethnicity, nationality, etc. I think this is very important declaration because till date this article is
not practiced in spirit. There is violence against women, minorities, races, etc. Hence, I feel that

the principles of equality for everyone without discrimination must be strictly emphasized and
made a universal agenda (MFA, 2008).
I think if both these articles are practiced in spirit then the world would become a better peaceful
place for every human being.
3) What moral/ethical principles and theories are reflected in the Articles you
chose?
Article 2 and Article 19 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares a monumental
embodiment and specifically states that we all human beings have moral ties and responsibilities
towards each other. This declaration is a common standard of achievement that is to be followed
by all people of all nations. It explicitly expresses ethical principles on the basis of which people
deal with one another. Both these articles are based on humanitarian responsibilities and
propagate upholding national and international security. These articles promote the
cosmopolitan framework through which people can relate with each other economically,
scientifically and culturally everywhere across the world.
The moral and ethical principles are the pillars which form an integrated system. It is a shared
moral impulse that helps to sustain international laws. If the Declaration of Human rights are
practiced morally and ethically, the world will not need a judiciary system. I fully believe that
article 2 and 19 are most important in the 21st century (Brown, 2016).
4) For which real-world issues in our modern society do the Articles you chose
have relevance and applicability? Be specific
Fortunately the world has changed and globalization and internet revolution have provided
freedom of expression to people via multiple mediums. But yet this declaration is not effective.

Racism and torture to women are pressing issues in 21st century. Brazil is a large democratic
country but there are various incidents of human rights violation. Police torturing and killing is
common occurrence not only in Brazil but is also prevalent in other democracies like India,
South Africa, Iran, etc. We have witnessed that the traditional champions of human rights that is
Europe and United States have floundered the declaration in multiple ways. The xenophobia
against Muslim Communities, torture and killing civilians after 9/11 are examples of real
pressing issues in the 21st century. It is not people who are violating human rights but the
governments are violating human rights. The freedom of expression is not permeable in any
society. This is the reason that women are being tortured, child labor is prevalent, minorities are
oppressed and the Blacks are harassed (The Guardian, 2014).
References
Brown, G. (2016). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the 21st Century. Global
Citizenship Commission.
Equality Human Rights. (2018, March 5). What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
Retrieved april 30, 2018, from Equalityhumanrights.com:
https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/what-are-human-rights/what-universal-
declaration-human-rights
MFA. (2008). So which is the most important? Sweden: The Ministry of Integration and Gender
Equality and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
OHCHAR. (2018). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Retrieved from
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/UDHR/Documents/UDHR_Translations/eng.pdf

The Guardian. (2014, December 4). The Case Against Human Rights. Retrieved april 30, 2018,
from https://www.theguardian.com/news/2014/dec/04/-sp-case-against-human-rights