December 10 marks a historic moment: the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a founding text which marked a major turning point in world history.
In December 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations. Considered the most fundamental international human rights agreement, this document laid the foundation for essential human rights standards in the post-war world.
“This Declaration essentially says that all human beings are equal and have human rights from birth. These rights are undisputed and universal. It therefore laid the foundation for many agreements on human rights”explains Hugh Williamson, director of the Europe and Central Asia division at Human Rights Watch.
When the Universal Declaration was adopted in 1948, only 58 members were part of the United Nations, with 48 countries voting in favor of it. Today, more than 190 countries adhere to this convention, and many have ratified legally binding treaties based on the principles of this Declaration.
Much more than a symbol
But this agreement goes far beyond the simple symbol of equality and respect that it embodies. It is an essential guide, offering timeless principles rooted in the human rights of all societies.
“I think it goes well beyond the symbolic, if only because the Declaration laid the groundwork for what was to come. It led to a series of treaties covering a wide range of rights issues human rights, from children’s rights to the relationship with disability in the workplace, including gender discrimination”estimates Erica Harper, head of research studies at the Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in Geneva.
“This Declaration was developed in response to a series of catastrophic global events, marking a moment when all states could come together and commit to fundamental principles to govern humanity”continues the expert. “But today, in a fragmented and polarized political context, even the symbolic nature of the Universal Declaration is of paramount importance, because these symbols are a reminder of what we were able to agree on together.”
Principles in danger?
However, many challenges persist in the area of human rights. As Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch, points out: “Many fundamental principles such as freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, the right to demonstrate, freedom of association, the right to organize, whether for unions or political parties, are all violated in the world**.**”
He adds : “Europe is far from perfect when it comes to the refugee situation and discrimination. An important article in the Universal Declaration states that everyone has basic human rights, regardless of their gender or background. ethnicity, for example. So racism is a huge problem in Europe.”
Cecilia Marcela Bailliet, independent United Nations expert on human rights and international solidarity, underlines: “The EU is not a perfect example when it comes to respecting the principles set out in the Universal Declaration.”
She adds : “There is a conception of Europe as having achieved a certain level of democracy and respect for human rights. But the truth is that there is no perfect system. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states for example the right to seek asylum, the right to leave and return to one’s country. And we have a lot of restrictions in Europe on the movement of people. These restrictions have led not only to procedural violations, but also to violations of the right to life and even inhumane treatment amounting to torture in situations of detention.”
Concerns in Gaza, Ukraine, Afghanistan…
Amnesty International France, through Jean-Claude Samouiller, its president, also highlights the multiple alarming situations around the world. “In the United States, the right to abortion is regressing, just like in Hungary or Poland. Our main concerns today concern Israel, Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, where the different belligerents systematically violate human rights, without any respect for life and human dignity. This is also the case in Ukraine, where bombings affect civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
“We are also very concerned about the situation of women in Afghanistan, which we describe as crimes against humanity, as well as in Iran, both for the situation of women and for that of all Iranians” he adds.
Yet, looking back, experts remain optimistic about the progress made over the past 75 years.
Cecilia Marcela Bailliet believes that: “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the most perfect story of emancipation, at once current, universal and perpetually relevant. When we look at the world today, we are confronted with images of war and destruction, but we are also inspired by the incredible demonstrations of solidarity taking place in almost every city in the world, in response to the violations affecting people in different regions, not only neighboring regions, but also very far away, all demanding the rights of all peoples to peace.
Erica Harper agrees: “Overall, we have much greater respect and better protection of human rights than in 1948. For example, the rights of people with disabilities were not mentioned in the 1948 convention. New rights are also being created. So, Last year, a new right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment was recognized by the Human Rights Council and then by the UN General Assembly.”
What is the outcome today?
To take stock of the human rights situation around the world, 75 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration, the president of Amnesty International France highlights one of the 30 fundamental rights set out in this document: “If there is one article in the Declaration that allows us to claim all the others, it is perhaps the right to freedom of expression. It is crucial to remain very vigilant on the right of expression, the right of demonstration and the right of association, because these rights make it possible to claim all the others. And when an authoritarian system is established, the first victims are political opponents, rights defenders, journalists, intellectuals.”
The United Nations expert, Cecilia Marcela Bailliet, insists on the importance of human rights education in schools.
“I strongly believe in the need to invest in human rights education. All schools should teach the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I live in Norway and I know that Norwegian children receive lessons on the Convention relating to the rights of the child. They return home able to clearly express what this implies vis-à-vis the State, but also within their family. This is considerable emancipatory progress.”
