What Comprises the Human Rights Law?

The Universal Declaration, together with the two Covenants on Human Rights, comprises the International Bill of Human Rights; in other words, the Human Rights Law.

In effect, the Human Rights Law includes:

· The United Nations Charter (adopted by the General Assembly in 1945 at the foundation of the United Nations Organization)

o The Preamble to the UN Charter reaffirms “faith in the fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and woman and of nations large and small”.

o Article I establishes that the United Nations has to promote and encourage “respect for the human rights and for fundamental freedom for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.”

· The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (adopted by the General Assembly in 1948).
o This declaration is composed of 30 articles that delineate out the basic civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights that all human beings in every country should enjoy.

There are two legally binding agreements negotiated under United Nations auspices. These are the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

o These two agreements take provisions of the Declaration a step further by translating these rights into legally binding commitments.

In addition, the United Nations has adopted many other standards and rules on the protection of human rights such as:

· The Declaration on Human Rights Defenders – which protects the work of human rights defenders around the world

· The Declaration to the Right to Development – established the right to development as “an inalienable human right by virtue” (The UN Today 245)

· The Declaration on the Right of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities – proclaims the right of minorities to enjoy their own culture

These “declarations”, “codes of conduct,” and “principles” are not treaties to which states become signatories, but they do have profound influence because they are thoughtfully drafted and adopted by a consensus in which all states participate.