The UN and Human Rights

One of the goals of the United Nations was the promotion of human rights. The UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It included several basic rights and freedoms:

• freedom from slavery, torture, and degrading punishment

• equality before the law

• the right to a nationality

• the right to own property, either individually or with others

• freedom of thought, conscience, religion, opinion, and expression

• equal pay for equal work

• the right to rest and to enjoy paid holidays

• equal rights for children born within and outside of marriage

• the right to adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, and education

The declaration was a milestone achievement. Individuals from different countries, cultures, and legal traditions came together to draft a document that set standards for all governments and all people. People have translated the declaration into more than 500 languages. Since 1948, the UN has investigated abuses of human rights, such as genocide, war crimes, government oppression, and crimes against women.