Recall the moment when the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 217 A III. This resolution is also known as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Here, before you, stands the 30 Jahre Allgemeine Erklärung der Menschenrechte Plaque. It commemorates the 30th anniversary of this pivotal declaration.
The plaque marks a commitment to the principles enshrined within those 30 articles. Planted nearby are 30 trees. Each tree represents an article of the declaration. Amnesty International supports this symbol of unity. It was erected in December 1998.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is not legally binding. It serves as a guiding ideal. Adopted on December 10, 1948, in Paris, it proclaims that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
The declaration comprises 30 articles. These articles outline fundamental rights that every person should possess. These rights apply regardless of race, color, sex, language, religion, or any other distinction. It matters not your political belief, national origin, wealth, or birth status.
The declaration’s preamble expresses a fundamental aim. It seeks freedom, justice, and peace in the world. It emphasizes faith in fundamental human rights. It believes in the dignity and worth of the human person. It affirms the equal rights of men and women.
The declaration arose from the ashes of World War II. The UN Commission on Human Rights was established in 1946. Eleanor Roosevelt led this commission of 18 experts. They recognized the existing charter’s shortcomings regarding human rights. Their primary task was to create an international human rights code.
The negotiation climate was fraught with East-West conflict. Eleanor Roosevelt shifted focus. She concentrated on drafting a non-binding declaration. The legally binding form of a treaty was postponed. The immediate goal was to define protected human rights. They wanted to express a universal legal understanding.
Western states prioritized political and civil liberties. The Soviet Union advocated for economic and social rights. The final declaration was a difficult compromise. It allowed for different interpretations of human rights.
On December 10, 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the declaration. There were 48 votes in favor and none against. Eight nations abstained.
The European Convention on Human Rights of 1950 was influenced by the UN charter. The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union became the basis for a common EU constitution.
The plaque commemorates the enduring importance of the declaration. It stands as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for human rights worldwide. It signifies a commitment to upholding the dignity and rights of all individuals. It is a call to action. It urges us to strive for a world where these rights are fully realized. It also embodies a message of hope. The plaque shows the possibility of progress when nations unite.