By M. Buie (FSWC Educator)

On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It affirmed that every person has fundamental rights to equality, life, liberty and security, including the right to choose their own religion, freedom of speech, and the right to participate in the cultural life of their community.

The UDHR was adopted in response to “barbarous acts which […] outraged the conscience of mankind.” As people around the world saw the results of the Holocaust, the United Nations (UN) set out to establish what would ultimately be the first time countries agreed on the universal protections humans deserved.

In 1946, Canadian own John Humphrey, the Director of Human Rights for the UN, began drafting the UDHR with the assistance of others. After many years of work, it was finally passed and referred to as the “Magna Carta of all mankind” by Eleanor Roosevelt, US diplomat and former first lady.

According to the UN, this document set a world record in 1999 as it became the world’s most translated document with 321translations. The record still stands with the number now over 577 translations.

The UDHR brought forth much needed change for the enforcement of international law. The recognition of human rights existing for all peoples of Earth meant that human rights were an international concern.

The Government of Canada’s Human Rights Day website has a plethora of great resources and materials for students to learn more about this historic day and its modern day importance. It includes links to the UN’s Human Rights Day website, the Human Rights Playlist film, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights’ Story Collection. This month, dedicate time to explore some of these resources to empower students to continue to stand up for the rights of others.

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