Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): Freedom Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Article.Sentence) or (Preamble.Sentence)

Quote #4

The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures. (21.3)

According to the declaration, voting isn't just a right you have as a citizen of a country: it's a human right, too. It's hard to overstate how huge an idea that is. The document is basically saying that democratic government (in some form) is required all over the world. Saudi Arabia just got on board with equal suffrage in 2015, when women were grated the right to vote in municipal elections for the first time.

Quote #5

In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society. (29.2)

One of the ways people define freedom is as an ability to do what you want. This article declares that your freedom is unlimited in that way—except where it would interfere with someone else's freedom or create a disorderly society. Anarchy is bad, m'kay?