On the Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Main Idea
On the Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Main Idea
They Call Them Universal Human Rights for a Reason
Just like the kids from Rydell High knew they'd always be together, Eleanor Roosevelt knew the whole world had to collectively go forward with a plan to protect the rights of all humans.
Okay, so Roosevelt was a little more sophisticated than Sandy and Danny. No surprise there.
In order for it to stick, the final product needed to reflect basic ideas and freedoms for all people who lived under all types of governments, and while there were some disagreements—Soviet Union, we're looking at you—overall, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights did just that.
It was a significant moment in history, and while the document wasn't going to fix all problems, everyone acknowledging they were together on it (like dip da-dip da-dip doo-wop da doo-be doo) was a great start.
Questions
- Why do you think Eleanor Roosevelt spent the first half of her speech discussing the various issues with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? What was she trying to accomplish?
- What do you know about the Magna Carta, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, and the Bill of Rights? Why were they so significant? Why does Roosevelt compare the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to those documents?
- Where do you see issues related to human rights in our society? In your community?
- In her speech, Roosevelt thanks President Harry Truman and Secretary George Marshall. How did they contribute to discussions and policies related to human rights?
Chew On This
The Magna Carta, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, and the Bill of Rights are all significant historical documents that provided the very foundation for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Throughout the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union were at odds on a number of political and philosophical levels. As a result of those differences, it is unlikely the two countries would have ever agreed on the specifics of various articles in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Quotes
Quote #1
Not every man nor every government can have what he wants in a document of this kind. There are of course particular provisions in the Declaration before us with which we are not fully satisfied. I have no doubt this is true of other delegations, and it would still be true if we continued our labors over many years. (2-4)
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the work of 58 different countries, and they all had different governments and traditions. It's super significant that they all got together and built this document, but that doesn't mean everything was hunky-dory.
There were a couple things the United States wasn't crazy about, and the Soviet Union had a few issues, too. But no matter how long they all sat around playing rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock, no country was going to walk away totally happy with the final product. What's important is the overall message—that the whole world got together and said that, barring a few little disagreements, all people should be guaranteed basic human rights.
Quote #2
The first two paragraphs of the [Soviet] amendment to article 3 deal with the question of minorities, which committee 3 decided required further study, and has recommended, in a separate resolution, their reference to the Economic and Social Council and the Human Rights Commission. As set out in the Soviet amendment, this provision clearly states "group," and not "individual," rights. (18-19)
Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says, "Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person."
For all you historical document junkies out there, that probably sounds pretty familiar—both the Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen include similar ideas.
But what's important here is the very big difference between the word "group" and the word "individual." In 1948, the United States and the Soviet Union weren't exactly getting along. They had different ideas of what made a society successful—the United States was very liberal, focused more on the individual, while the Soviet Union believed the rights of the group were more important. Those differences characterized the Cold War…and had an impact on the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Quote #3
In giving our approval to the Declaration today it is of primary importance that we keep clearly in mind the basic character of the document. It is not a treaty; it is not an international agreement. It is not and does not purport to be a statement of law or of legal obligation. It is a Declaration of basic principles of human rights and freedoms, to be stamped with the approval of the General Assembly by formal vote of its members, and to serve as a common standard of achievement for all peoples of all nations. (40-43)
At the time it was accepted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights wasn't actually international law, so while all parties agreed that people were entitled to basic rights, the document didn't directly create legal obligations for any country. And because you Shmoopers are just a bunch of beautiful, talented, brilliant, powerful individuals, you'll probably argue that in 1948, with the Holocaust prominently in everyone's rear-view mirrors, it didn't necessarily have to be a treaty to be effective—and you'd be right.
So, the question is, should the Universal Declaration of Human Rights become international law now? Or is its influence on international human rights laws enough?
Quote #4
At a time when there are so many issues on which we find it difficult to reach a common basis of agreement, it is a significant fact that 58 states have found such a large measure of agreement in the complex field of human rights. [...] The realization that the flagrant violation of human rights by Nazi and Fascist countries sowed the seeds of the last world war has supplied the impetus for the work which brings us to the moment of achievement here today. (47, 50)
Remember that World War II ended only three years before Eleanor Roosevelt gave this speech. Everyone was involved in that lovely little conflict, and everyone was ready to buckle down and do whatever was necessary to prevent World War III.
On the one hand, it's horrific that it took genocide and the deaths of 60 million people to get the ball rolling, but on the other hand, it's better late than never—especially if the Universal Declaration of Human Rights could stop another genocide from happening.
Of course, we know it wasn't that easy. But Roosevelt had the best of intentions.
Quote #5
This Declaration is based upon the spiritual fact that man must have freedom in which to develop his full stature and through common effort to raise the level of human dignity. We have much to do to fully achieve and to assure the rights set forth in this Declaration. But having them put before us with the moral backing of 58 nations will be a great step forward. (54-56)
For Eleanor Roosevelt, human rights were bigger than any government or religion or political system. As humans, we're all entitled to certain freedoms, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights marked the first time in history that a bunch of different countries—with very different traditions—stood up and said, "Yep—human rights are a no-brainer."
It didn't fix all the problems (obviously), but it was a great start, if only because of how many people were on board.