Related Covenants
The declaration is not legally binding. Even before its adoption in 1948, broad agreement existed that the rights which were to be enshrined in the Declaration were to be transformed into legally binding obligations through the negotiation of one or more treaties. In 1966, two separate treaties, covering almost entirely all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, were adopted after approximately 20 years of negotiations: one for civil and political rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); and one for economic, social and cultural rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)(ICESCR (Actor Atlas page)).
The ICCPR was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 16 December 1966 and entered into force on 23 March 1976.
Brief Description
Universal Declaration on Human Rights
URL: http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/
Parties
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."
Objective
To serve as 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.
Time Window
Started: 1948
Ends: —
