Declaration of Human Rights

Eleanor Roosevelt

Beginning in 1947, delegates from six continents devoted themselves to drafting a declaration that would enshrine the fundamental rights and freedoms of people everywhere.

In the aftermath of World War II, many nations pressed for a statement of this kind to help ensure that we would prevent future atrocities and protect the inherent humanity and dignity of all people. And so the delegates went to work. They discussed, they wrote, they revisited, revised, rewrote, for thousands of hours.

And they incorporated suggestions and revisions from governments, organizations, and individuals around the world.

At three o’clock in the morning on December 10th, 1948, after nearly two years of drafting and one last long night of debate, the president of the UN General Assembly called for a vote on the final text.

Forty-eight nations voted in favour; eight abstained; none dissented. And the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

It proclaims a simple, powerful idea: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. And with the declaration, it was made clear that rights are not conferred by government; they are the birthright of all people. It does not matter what country we live in, who our leaders are, or even who we are. Because we are human, we therefore have rights. And because we have rights, governments are bound to protect them.

In the 63 years since the declaration was adopted, many nations have made great progress in making human rights a human reality.
Step by step, barriers that once prevented people from enjoying the full measure of liberty, the full experience of dignity, and the full benefits of humanity have fallen away.

In many places, racist laws have been repealed, legal and social practices that relegated women to second-class status have been abolished, the ability of religious minorities to practice their faith freely has been secured.

  International Alliance of Women

The IAW is one of the oldest international women’s organisations, founded in 1902.
The International Alliance of Women (IAW) is a non-governmental, feminist organisation, which embraces both women’s groups and individuals. The basic principle of the IAW is that the full and equal enjoyment of human rights is due to all women and girls.

The IAW represents more than 50 organisations world-wide and has attracted many individual members. The IAW has consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council and participatory status with the Council of Europe.
The IAW has permanent representatives in New York, Vienna, Geneva, Paris, Rome, Nairobi and Strasbourg and also addresses the European Union through its membership in the European Women’s Lobby in Brussels.

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

The IAW pays particular attention to the universal ratification and implementation without reservation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and its Optional Protocol. The current IAW Commissions deal with the topics:  Human Rights, Justice and Good Governance; Peace;  Elimination of Violence;  Health.

For more information visit the IAW website www.womenalliance.org