Loud vehicle honking sounds echoing around
In the aftermath of World War II, the international community, led by the United Nations, came together to codify fundamental human rights. This landmark document, known as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), was adopted unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948.
The UDHR is a testament to the belief that every person, regardless of race, gender, religion, or nationality, is entitled to a common standard of inalienable human rights. It consists of 30 articles that encompass civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, such as equality before the law, freedom from arbitrary arrest, and the right to education, work, and a standard of living adequate for health and well-being.
The roots of human rights can be traced back much further than the Enlightenment, to minority Christian traditions such as Mennonites and Baptists, who were among the first to articulate the cause of freedom of religion and conscience. The very concept of human rights is biblical in origin, rooted in the understanding that each person was created in the image of God and thus had dignity and sanctity.
The drafting process of the UDHR involved an international committee with representatives from all continents and major religions, including the Lebanese Orthodox theologian, academic, diplomat, philosopher, and politician, Charles Malik. Another drafter was John Foster Dulles, the US Secretary of State, who believed that "Christian forces" had been primarily responsible for giving the UN Charter a "soul" in the commitments to human rights.
The Catholic Church embraced the cause of human rights during Vatican II in the 1960's, under the influence of French Catholic philosopher Jacques Maritain. However, it is important to note that the Roman Catholic Church anathematized the concept of 'human rights' under Pope Pius IX in reaction to the anti-church policies of the French Revolution and its Declaration of the Rights of Man.
The UDHR has been translated into more than 500 languages, making it the most translated document in the world. Although it was intended as a common standard rather than a legally binding treaty, many of its provisions have gained normative legal importance over time and are used by national courts and international bodies to judge human rights compliance.
The very existence of the UDHR is a significant milestone in the history of human rights. It serves as a foundation for modern human rights law and advocacy globally. However, human rights remain the cornerstone of the international order, currently being challenged by autocrats and anti-democrats like Putin.
Recent events in Syria serve as a stark reminder of the importance of the UDHR. For decades, millions of Syrians have been forced to flee from their homeland under the oppressive rule of Bashar al-Assad. The departure of Assad has significant ramifications for the global geo-political balance, and millions of Syrians are now free from his oppressive regime.
Two Sundays ago, a convoy of cars draped with Syrian flags drove through the center of Amsterdam, symbolising the hope for a future where the principles of the UDHR can be upheld. The very existence of the UDHR is a testament to the power of collective international action in pursuit of human dignity and freedom.
Every article of the UDHR can be undergirded by scripture. Without the biblical foundations, there are no grounds for human rights. The UDHR is a reminder that the rights and freedoms it enshrines are not just political constructs, but are rooted in the very essence of being human and are grounded in a Supreme Being.
Human Rights Day should be spotlighted everywhere, not just on December 10, 1948, when the UDHR was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris. It serves as a reminder of the shared commitment to uphold the dignity and rights of every person, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or nationality. The UDHR is a beacon of hope for a world where everyone can live in freedom, dignity, and peace.
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