How does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights relate to the United States Bill of Rights?

Article 2

Freedom from discrimination

Everyone can claim their rights regardless of sex, race, language, religion, social standing, etc.

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a historic document which outlined the rights and freedoms everyone is entitled to.

It was the first international agreement on the basic principles of human rights. 

It laid the foundation for the human rights protections that we have in the UK today. 

It formed the basis of the European Convention on Human Rights, which in turn was incorporated in UK law by the Human Rights Act 1998.

Worldwide influence

Nearly every state in the world has accepted the Declaration.

It has inspired more than 80 international conventions and treaties, as well as numerous regional conventions and domestic laws.

It has been the catalyst for improving human rights protections for groups such as disabled people, indigenous peoples and women.

It has been translated into more than 360 languages.

International Bill of Human Rights

The International Bill of Human Rights is an informal name given to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights along with the following UN human rights treaties:

• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

You can find out more about the International Bill of Human Rights in this United Nations factsheet (PDF).

One of our main jobs is to make sure the UK complies with UN treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights articulates fundamental rights and freedoms for all. The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Declaration on 10 December 1948. 

Australia played an important role in the development of the Universal Declaration. Find out more

When was the Universal Declaration created?

The Universal Declaration was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December 1948. Motivated by the experiences of the preceding world wars, the Universal Declaration was the first time that countries agreed on a comprehensive statement of inalienable human rights.

Australia played an important role in the development of the Universal Declaration. Click here to find out more.

What does the Universal Declaration say?

The Universal Declaration begins by recognising that ‘the inherent dignity of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world’.

It declares that human rights are universal – to be enjoyed by all people, no matter who they are or where they live.

The Universal Declaration includes civil and political rights, like the right to life, liberty, free speech and privacy. It also includes economic, social and cultural rights, like the right to social security, health and education.

• Read the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Is the Universal Declaration legally binding?

The Universal Declaration is not a treaty, so it does not directly create legal obligations for countries.

However, it is an expression of the fundamental values which are shared by all members of the international community. And it has had a profound influence on the development of international human rights law. Some argue that because countries have consistently invoked the Declaration for more than sixty years, it has become binding as a part of customary international law.

Further, the Universal Declaration has given rise to a range of other international agreements which are legally binding on the countries that ratify them. These include

On July 4, 1776, the United States Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. Its primary author, Thomas Jefferson, wrote the Declaration as a formal explanation of why Congress had voted on July 2 to declare independence from Great Britain, more than a year after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, and as a statement announcing that the thirteen American Colonies were no longer a part of the British Empire. Congress issued the Declaration of Independence in several forms. It was initially published as a printed broadsheet that was widely distributed and read to the public.

Philosophically, the Declaration stressed two themes: individual rights and the right of revolution. These ideas became widely held by Americans and spread internationally as well, influencing in particular the French Revolution.

The Constitution of the United States of America (1787) and Bill of Rights (1791)

The Bill of Rights of the US Constitution protects basic freedoms of United States citizens.

Written during the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, the Constitution of the United States of America is the fundamental law of the US federal system of government and the landmark document of the Western world. It is the oldest written national constitution in use and defines the principal organs of government and their jurisdictions and the basic rights of citizens.

The first ten amendments to the Constitution—the Bill of Rights—came into effect on December 15, 1791, limiting the powers of the federal government of the United States and protecting the rights of all citizens, residents and visitors in American territory.

The Bill of Rights protects freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to keep and bear arms, the freedom of assembly and the freedom to petition. It also prohibits unreasonable search and seizure, cruel and unusual punishment and compelled self-incrimination. Among the legal protections it affords, the Bill of Rights prohibits Congress from making any law respecting establishment of religion and prohibits the federal government from depriving any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law. In federal criminal cases it requires indictment by a grand jury for any capital offense, or infamous crime, guarantees a speedy public trial with an impartial jury in the district in which the crime occurred, and prohibits double jeopardy.

What is the relationship of human rights in Bill of Rights?

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Is the universal declaration of human rights in the International Bill of Rights?