The UDHR is one of the foundational documents of the modern human rights system, and has been used as a basis for many struggles in battling injustice and achieving rights and dignity for people around the world. It enables governments, advocates, and lawyers to promote respect for human rights everywhere, and take action when human rights are violated.

The UDHR consists of 30 articles expressing rights to which all human beings are entitled. The articles are divided into sub-sections and discuss civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights. The UDHR articulates that "recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world." The fundamental rights articulated in the UDHR include the right to life, liberty and security of person, the right to an adequate standard of living, the right to seek asylum, the right to freedom of expression, the right to education, and the right to freedom from torture, among others.

Americans, such as Eleanor Roosevelt, were behind the creation of the UDHR, and it was heavily influenced by the Bill of Rights. In addition, the United States was one of the original forty-eight countries who voted in favor of the UN adopting the Declaration. While the U.S. government was a leading voice in the creation of the UDHR after the Second World War, its policy and practice over the past 60 years has shown a failure to live up to these ideals. The United States has fallen behind as a leader in recognizing and protecting human rights within its borders. Human rights have been used as a tool in foreign policy rather than making sure that the rights described within the UDHR are respected at home. A recommitment by the U.S. to the principles and ideals of the UDHR is essential not only for improving U.S. standing in the world at this particular moment, but, more importantly, for its promise to ensure equality and justice for all at home.

Call on your government and the newly elected President of the United States to recommit to the Declaration and lead the world by example. Sign the petition >>

ACLU Resources: ACLU Human Rights Program - www.aclu.org/humanrights U.N. Special Rapporteur on Racism Visits the US - www.aclu.org/intlhumanrights/ racialjustice/sronracism.html U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants Visits US - www.aclu.org/humanrightsofmigrants ACLU Shadow Report on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination - www.aclu.org/cerd ACLU Shadow Report on the Convention against Torture - www.aclu.org/safefree/torture/torture_report.pdf ACLU Shadow Report on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - www.aclu.org/pdfs/iccprreport20060620.pdf ACLU Shadow Report on the Convention on the Rights of the Child Optional Protocol on children in armed conflict - www.aclu.org/pdfs/ humanrights/crc_report_20080513.pdf

Additional Resources: U.N. UDHR 60th Anniversary Website - www.knowyourrights2008.org Amnesty International UDHR 60 th Anniversary Website - www.amnesty.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights-anniversary US Human Rights Network - www.ushrnetwork.org The Elders - www.theelders.org Witness - www.witness.org