WHAT IS THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS?

The loss of over 50 million lives in World War II, and the lessons learned from the vast tragedy, gave birth in 1948 to a charter specifically intended to prevent history from repeating itself -- the United Nations UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS.

The declaration, also known as the UDHR, was spearheaded by Eleanor Roosevelt and was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10th, 1948. It "declares" the rights that every human being should possess regardless of gender, race, country or religion. Although the UDHR is a non-binding resolution, it is now considered to be a central component of international customary law. It has inspired the framework for the constitutions of dozens of nations and is the very foundation of the modern human rights movement.

Read the actual document and become a part of history by signing the online declaration along with Nelson Mandela and all The Elders.