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Hello, World. I am Naeema. I was born and raised in Somalia. I am a survivor of the Somali Civil War. After sometime in a Kenyan refugee camp, I was granted a home in the United States (Anaheim, CA) in November 1993 by the Clinton Administration and a relative). I am a proud citizen of the United States after passing my naturalization test (2/2003). I graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and University of San Francisco School of Law. I studied the Qur’an (over 30 years) and International Human Rights Law. I am a humanitarian. I am doing my part to work for World Peace. Thanks, World.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

“Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 (General Assembly resolution 217 A) as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into over 500 languages. The UDHR is widely recognized as having inspired, and paved the way for, the adoption of more than seventy human rights treaties, applied today on a permanent basis at global and regional levels (all containing references to it in their preambles). 

Preamble

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, therefore,

The General Assembly,

Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.”

https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights

What does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) mean?

GoogleAI Mode: “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document that establishes, for the first time, a common standard of fundamental rights to be universally protected for all people. Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, it was a direct response to the atrocities of World War II, intended to prevent such “barbarous acts” from ever happening again. 

The UDHR is defined by several core principles and components:

  1. Core Principles

Universality: These rights are inherent to all human beings simply by virtue of existing, regardless of nationality, race, religion, gender, or any other status.

Inalienability: These rights belong to everyone and cannot be taken away by any state or individual.

Indivisibility and Interdependence: All rights—whether civil, political, or economic—are equally important and linked; the fulfillment of one often depends on the fulfillment of others. 

  1. The 30 Articles

The declaration contains 30 articles outlining a broad range of protections, typically categorized into two types of rights: 

Civil and Political Rights: Includes the right to life, liberty, and security; freedom from slavery and torture; the right to a fair trial; and freedom of speech, assembly, and religion.

Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights: Includes the right to work, education, healthcare, and an adequate standard of living (including food and housing). 

  1. Historical and Legal Significance

Foundation of International Law: While not a legally binding treaty itself, the UDHR is the foundation of modern international human rights law and has inspired over 70 permanent human rights treaties.

A “Global Road Map”: It serves as a blueprint for governments to create laws and policies that protect the dignity and freedom of their citizens.

The “International Magna Carta”: Chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt, the drafting committee included representatives from diverse cultural and legal backgrounds to ensure the document reflected universal rather than just Western values. 

Today, the UDHR remains the most translated document in the world, available in over 500 languages as a testament to its global relevance.”

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