International Declaration of Human Rights

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world
--Desiderata
_______________

Today in 1948, the United Nations adopted the International Declaration of Human Rights establishing a "common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations."

The 28 Articles are worth a review. They state the basic standards required for living a life, and go beyond those to ensure a measure of dignity, as well. We are still woefully behind in achieving even this basic level of humanity, but it remains a worthy goal.


The 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, and

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights resulted before and during the second World War, in barbarous acts which outraged the conscience of mankind and made it apparent that the fundamental freedoms were one of the supreme issues of the conflict, and

Whereas it is essential, if mankind is not to be compelled as a last resort to rebel against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by a regime of law, and

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter determined to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom; and

Whereas member states have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the organization, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms; and

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 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 people of member states themselves and among the people of territories under their jurisdiction.

Well, it is pretty to think so. As humans, we have the potential to implement these rudiments. It seems the will is lacking, blockaded by any number of limiting tenets.

Let us hope we can one day tear down those walls.