Module Two: The Concept of International Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a very important document for any country around the world. Each country should recognize and abide by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in order to fairly treat their citizens. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created following the end of World War II, by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The chairman of the Assembly, Eleanor Roosevelt, led the creation of the document. One of the main reasons that led to the creation of this document was the observing of atrocious crimes committed in Nazi Germany. It became apparent that Human Rights must be defined, carefully observed, and discouraged.

            The main problem nations encounter while initiating this document into action is Individual Rights versus Cultural Rights. The document describes Individual Rights, but does not cover Cultural Rights. These Cultural Rights are undefined since every nation has its own unique independent culture. Therefore these Cultural Rights are left for each nation to define. However, when these Cultural Rights are defined they should be based on the principles expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Another issue that is discussed in criticism of this document is Economic Rights. For example, taxation would nullify individual’s ‘inalienable rights’. Another example is in Article 25, “ Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and wellbeing of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of likelihood in circumstances beyond his control”(Universal Declaration of Human Rights). Article 25, is stating what might be considered universal care for everyone. I think that if this were true then it would be observed in action today, but it is not. Instead in the U.S. we give everyone the right to an opportunity to provide these economic security issues for themselves. I think that Human Rights are not Economic Rights. These two rights should be separately classified. 

            In Article 29, section 3 states “These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations”(Universal Declaration of Human Rights). This statement is saying that the United Nations has the power to revoke all the rights stated with in the document if they have reason to do so. I do not agree with this, because in the United States even criminals have rights. I feel it is inhumane to take away every single right from an individual. 

            The United Nations General Assembly created this document with intentions to have every individual express equal Individual Rights. This is necessary since not all leaders of nations recognize every individual as having the same shared rights as the leader. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights became inevitable because individuals must be reminded that all humans must be treated the same.