Universal Declaration of Human Rights Learning Path

Purpose and universal scope of UDHR

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948 to codify fundamental rights and freedoms that belong to all people. Drafted by a UN committee chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt and accepted as UN General Assembly Resolution 217, it is built as a “common standard of achievement” for all peoples and nations, affirming that human rights are inherent, inalienable, and applicable universally. Its universal scope is emphasized through language that does not tie rights to any specific culture, political system, or religion. The UDHR commits nations to recognize that people are “born free and equal in dignity and rights,” without discrimination based on factors such as nationality, sex, race/ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or other status. Although the UDHR itself is generally considered non-binding, it has strongly influenced international human rights law, inspiring later treaties and national constitutional and legal developments worldwide.

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Adoption by UN General Assembly

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