Alexandra Naumenko 1) In December of 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) drafted and implemented the

Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a text of which sets the standards for human rights throughout the various countries that are a part of the UN. This declaration was publicized and the Assembly called upon members "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." Throughout history, there have been many events that could have contributed to the drafting of this declaration. One of the most major events, the Holocaust, stripped the civil liberties of an entire people based on something as ridiculous as religion/heritage. The genocide of an entire people was based off the intolerance of such things. Genocide as a whole would be reason enough to explain the drafting of this. In the twentieth century many genocides took place, with the genocides in Uganda and Rwanda to name a few. These two genocides alone took the lives of over a million people. It could be further argued that not only was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights drafted in response to such injustices, but that the UN was formed to uphold and protect people from such genocides. 2) Throughout the declaration there are various articles, containing provisions to protect the human rights of the people. A handful of these articles go so far as to protect individuals on a more global scale, from terrorism and nuclear warfare. Terrorism is defined as the use fear by a person/group of people to achieve a goal of sorts (usually politically linked). In the eyes of the government, the threat of nuclear warfare from another country is considered terrorism. Article III of this declaration states that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person. This serves as a broad outline to protect individuals from terrorism and terrorism by nuclear warfare. With terrorist groups having access to nuclear weapons threatens this article. Had a terrorist group, or another warring country, used these weapons, not only would the intended target be affected, but many innocent civilians in the surrounding area would be killed/severely injured. Article V of the declaration states no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. This in an immensely important article, for it plays a great role in global issues. Regardless of what is happening between warring nations or groups, everyone is granted civil liberties. No one, be they a suspected terrorist or

P.O.W., is to be tortured/stripped of their basic liberties. Last and not least, Article XVIII states that everyone has the right to Freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. This article pertains to the protection from terrorism. The declaration has implemented this article in the effort to protect individuals from religious extremists. Many individuals in countries where religion is a large priority (usually within the Middle East) are killed everyday over issues dealing with religious beliefs. With the countries of the UN enforcing this article, individuals in certain countries can feel safe actively practicing the religion of their choice. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights may not have eliminated all threats of terrorism/nuclear warfare, but has made great strides in doing so. 3) When a nation violates the UDHR, the UN intervenes. The United Nations Charter has designated the UN Security Council to determine violations of human rights laid out in the UDHR. Violations of human rights are monitored by: various UN Committees, national institutions/governments and many non-governmental organizations. They investigate such violations, gather evidence/documentation of the alleged violations and push for the enforcement of human rights laws. The overall effectiveness of this system, however, remains questionable. I came across an issue that was reported on in 2006 with regards to the restrictions placed upon the Palestinian movement within the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This movement restricts access to education, employment, health services, and agricultural land. Furthermore there are economic and social restrictions in regards to the hindrances of travel, with the setting up of permanent and flying military checkpoints. These checkpoints often mistreat, assault, and kill innocent Palestinian civilians. These restrictions are in direct violation of article XIII of the UDHR, everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State. Furthermore, this issue has crossed into the realms of article III, everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. A resident of the Atsyon area tells a story about a time where he went to pick up his brothers and nephew from a military

outpost. In the process, he was beaten mercilessly by a soldier and threatened with death as the soldier pointed the gun at his face. Even though under the UDHR, member states of the UN have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, it appears as if the Israeli authorities have slipped through the cracks, breaching numerous principles laid out under the UDHR. I chose this example because it is the lack of response from the Untied Nations that causes me to believe that the UN is not fully effective at protecting the rights of individuals of the member states of the UN. Source: http://www.alhaq.org/etemplate.php?id=176 4) The UN faces various challenges in the protection of human rights. First of all, the issue of human rights is a touchy subject. This can be solely placed upon the issue of ethics. It really comes down to what is right and wrong, and more importantly, who decides such things (who has the power/right to do so). Some nations may not feel as if the UN has the right or power to intrude in certain issues. This comes through very clearly with regards to religion. For example, some Islamic countries have criticized the UDHR due to its perceived failure to take into consideration the cultural/religious contexts of said Islamic countries. In response to this oversight, these countries made an alternative document of which they follow, which doesnt guarantee freedom of religion or gender equality, which creates a whole other issue. There is only so much the UN can do with their current method of handling things without crossing boundaries or potentially causing conflicts. If they would like to eliminate the challenges of enforcing these rights, they need to rewrite their policies/methods and have it supported by the nations that make up the UN. 5) When I look at the UDHR I cannot specifically say that some articles are more important than others, because when it comes to human rights, every right is important. However, if I absolutely had to set priority to three of them, I would choose articles II, III, and VII. Article II essentially states that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the UDHR, regardless of race/color/sex/language/religion/political or other opinion/national or social origin/property/and birth or other status. I feel this particular holds high priority because it emphasizes the one universal truth when discussing human rights: we are all created equal. No one should be privileged over another, just as no one should be denied rights, based upon

superficial things such as race/color/sex/religion/etc. The next article I would choose would be article III. This article happens to be the foundation of our country, everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person. I hold this one dearest to me because of how essential it is to my way of life, and how accustomed I have become to such rights living in America. Every person should have these essential rights. Last but not least, I would choose article XIX. This states that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference. This one is near and dear to me for I am a very opinionated person. I feel everyone has a right to an opinion, and should be allowed to share whats on his or her mind without fear of persecution or harm. To secure these rights, the UN has already taken measures by drafting up the UDHR. Granted they could do better to enforce these articles, its a step in the right direction. As for nations and individuals (using the U.S. as an example), that all comes down to working the political system. Individuals must vote, and write to their congressional representatives, pushing for legislation protecting these rights. Fortunately for us, the framers of our constitution had the foresight to include such rights in the constitution. 6) I believe that the Declaration is still relevant for the challenges of the 21st century. I would like to refer to our Constitution. The framers of the Constitution had the foresight to include things such as everyone has the right to life/liberty/security of person/freedom of expression/speech. To say the Declaration that was drafted to deal with issues of the 20th century is not relevant for the 21st century would be like saying the very foundation of our Constitution no longer applies today for it was written to deal with the issues of long ago. Human rights are human rights; their importance is timeless and should be upheld forever. The human rights laid out in the UDHR are still being violated today, if all else this, tells me that the UDHR is completely relevant. Furthermore, the UN could treat the UDHR like we do our constitution, with continuous amendments being added to adjust to current human rights issues.