Actor Atlas

Introduction

For background and details on this declaration, see Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Wikipedia).

Note: The titles of the articles in this wiki page are not part of the declaration. They are provided to help the reader finding a specific article.

Objective

It is the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled.

Parties

Countries who have ratified the International Bill of Human Rights (Wikipedia).

The Human Rights Library at the University of Minnesota provides an updated (2008) list of countries that have ratified the International Human Rights Treaties.

(In principle) Each person when she or he is in international territory or in the area of jurisdiction of a country that has ratified the bill.

Values & Claims

• recognition of human dignity of all people as the foundation of justice and peace in the world
• four freedoms: freedom of speech, belief, freedom from want, and freedom from fear
• human rights should be protected by rule of law, so that people are not compelled to rebellion against tyranny
• human rights as a foundation for the development of friendly relations among nations
• common understanding of rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance

Interactions¹

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) (Interaction Dictionary is the process which involves a review of the human rights records of all 192 UN Member States once every four years. The UPR is a State-driven process, under the auspices of the Human Rights Council (Actor Atlas), which provides the opportunity for each State (for most of these states there is an Country Actor Map) to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations.
As one of the main features of the Council, the UPR is designed to ensure equal treatment for every country when their human rights situations are assessed.

Compliance and Service Levels

Per country that has already gone through the UPR, see Country Initiative Book (General Public Services) for links.

Competent Courts

The situation differs per country.

Issues

See List of Human Rights Issues, provided by the OHCHR.

The multi-level jurisdictional architecture regarding Human Rights in the world may make the right to an effective remedy (Article 8) difficult to achieve (for many).