of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

Dignity and Justice for All

History of the Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights known as the foundation of freedom, represents a range of ideologies, political systems and religious and cultural backgrounds, as well as different stages of economic development. The authors of the Declaration, themselves from different regions of the world, sought to ensure that the draft text would reflect these different cultural traditions and incorporate common values inherent in the world's principal legal systems and religious and philosophical traditions. Most important, the Universal Declaration was to be a common statement of mutual aspirations, a shared vision of a more equitable and just world. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights serves as a safeguard against oppression and discrimination. In the wake of a devastating World War, which had witnessed some of the most barbarous crimes in human history, the Universal Declaration marked the first time that the rights and freedoms of individuals were set forth in such detail. It also represented the first international recognition that Human Rights and fundamental freedoms are applicable to every person, everywhere. In this sense, the Universal Declaration was a landmark achievement in world history.
Prepared in cooperation with the United Nations Information Centre for the Caribbean Area"

The text was drafted in two years - between January 1947, when the Commission on Human Rights first met to prepare an International Bill of Human Rights, and December 1948, when the General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration. An eightmember drafting committee prepared the preliminary text of the Universal Declaration. The committee, chaired by Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, widow of the former United States President Franklin D Roosevelt, agreed on the central importance of affirming universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the principles of non-discrimination and civil and political rights, as well as social, cultural and economic rights. The Commission then revised the draft declaration, in the light of replies from Member States, before submitting it to the General Assembly. On 10 December 1948, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with 8 abstentions. Since then, 10 December is celebrated every year worldwide as Human Rights Day. The adoption of the Declaration was immediately hailed as a triumph, uniting very diverse and even conflicting political regimes, religious systems and cultural traditions.

The Preamble to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights which adequately summarizes its purpose is as follows:

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 cooperation 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." The Declaration is now available in more than 350 languages and it is the most translated document around the world. This is a testament to its universal nature and reach, since it has inspired many new democracies. It also has become a yardstick by which we measure respect for what we know, or should know as right and wrong. The Declaration comprises 30 Articles some of which include the following pertinent issues:

Freedom of governance and access to public service;

Article 21.
1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. 2. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country. 3. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures. Health

Article 25.
1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the
health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special

care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Education

Article 26.
1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. 2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. 3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

The Right to work

Article 23.
1. Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. 2. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. 3. Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. 4. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests. Freedom of the press;

Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Trinidad and Tobago and Human Rights:

The Universal declaration of Human Rights which is seen as the "mother" of all Human Rights instruments and has paved the way for a number of Human Rights instruments, which deal separately with various issues. Together with the two international Covenants, they make up what is known as the International Bill of Rights. On becoming a member of the United Nations in 1962, Trinidad and Tobago agreed to abide by the principles contained in the Declaration as well as, the Charter of the United Nations. Further, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has signed and ratified the following five International Human Rights Conventions:

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights International Convention on the elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women Convention on the Rights of the Child

The Human Rights Unit at the Ministry of the Attorney General has the responsibility of monitoring how these conventions are implemented in Trinidad and Tobago in order to effectively uphold and protect basic Human Rights defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This Unit is now being restructured into the International Law and Human Rights Unit in order to expand the mandate beyond monitoring and reporting. In keeping with the protection of Human Rights enshrined the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Ministry of the Attorney General takes this opportunity to commemorate and celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.