Mannréttindayfirlýsingin

Mannréttindayfirlýsingin, or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), is a foundational document in the history of human rights. It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948. The declaration was drafted by representatives from diverse legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.

The UDHR consists of a preamble and thirty articles that detail basic rights and freedoms. These rights include civil and political rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and security of person, freedom from torture, and freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. It also enumerates economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the right to work, education, and an adequate standard of living.

While the UDHR itself is not a legally binding treaty, it has inspired numerous national constitutions and international laws. It serves as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, aiming to promote universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Its principles continue to guide efforts to build a more just and equitable world.