Although the establishment of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is monumental in its protection of the fundamental rights of human beings, the notion of such rights is not necessarily new. A number of different documents throughout human history have forged a path for the Declaration.
Such ancient texts as the Hindu Vedas, the Mesopotamian Code of Hammurabi, the Bible, and the Analects of Confucius all address individuals’ roles and rights within a functioning society. In 1215 AD, the Magna Carta put in writing the rights of England’s subjects and instituted habeas corpus, which allows citizens to appeal against unlawful imprisonment.
Nearly 500 years after the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights of 1689 limited the powers of sovereigns, outlined the rights of freedom of speech, and established regular elections. A century later, the French Bill of Rights (1789) and the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights set forth some of the principles of self-determination, despite the fact that they marginalized women, people of color, and other social, economic, and religious minorities.
Today, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, strives to protect the human rights of all by recognizing the dignity and equality of the “inalienable rights ... of the human family.” While there is much work to be done to ensure that these rights are upheld, such progress is truly historic.
About Kateri Carmola: Currently a Visiting Research Scholar at Middlebury College, Kateri Carmola spoke about human rights issues at Harvard Law School’s 2006 Program on Human Rights. In addition, she participated in the Salzburg Seminar on International Human Rights.
Such ancient texts as the Hindu Vedas, the Mesopotamian Code of Hammurabi, the Bible, and the Analects of Confucius all address individuals’ roles and rights within a functioning society. In 1215 AD, the Magna Carta put in writing the rights of England’s subjects and instituted habeas corpus, which allows citizens to appeal against unlawful imprisonment.
Nearly 500 years after the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights of 1689 limited the powers of sovereigns, outlined the rights of freedom of speech, and established regular elections. A century later, the French Bill of Rights (1789) and the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights set forth some of the principles of self-determination, despite the fact that they marginalized women, people of color, and other social, economic, and religious minorities.
Today, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, strives to protect the human rights of all by recognizing the dignity and equality of the “inalienable rights ... of the human family.” While there is much work to be done to ensure that these rights are upheld, such progress is truly historic.
About Kateri Carmola: Currently a Visiting Research Scholar at Middlebury College, Kateri Carmola spoke about human rights issues at Harvard Law School’s 2006 Program on Human Rights. In addition, she participated in the Salzburg Seminar on International Human Rights.
