Mary Robinson
Realizing Rights
Fulfilling Humanity’s Promise to Itself
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. It presents an opportunity to reassert the central importance of interna-
tional human rights standards in achieving a more just and sustainable future.
Recent trends in realizing the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights have not been positive. Due in significant part to national and global
responses to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, human rights in this
decade have been marginalized and in some cases undermined. But further deteri-
oration can be halted and progress resumed, first by reclaiming and then reinvig-
orating the message of human rights. I can think of no better way of doing so than
by reaffirming the Universal Declaration’s vision of rights and responsibilities as a
“common standard of achievement” for all peoples and all nations.
REAFFIRMING THE MESSAGE OF
THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Recall for a moment the world of 1948, the year the Universal Declaration came
into being. Nations were emerging from a devastating world war, from the
Holocaust, and the first use of nuclear weapons against civilians. The Cold War
had begun. People were searching for common threads that would bind nations
together and increase human security for all.
Into that space came a small group of men and women from different back-
grounds, Kulturen, and faiths, led by a remarkable woman, Eleanor Roosevelt. Ihre
mandate, as part of the new U.N. Commission on Human Rights, was to craft the
first international articulation of the rights and freedoms of all of humanity.
The result of their efforts—the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—
offered a vision of a shared humanity and of shared responsibilities to each other
Mary Robinson is the President of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization
Initiative, and a member of the Elders. Formerly, Frau. Robinson was United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997-2002), and the President of Ireland
(1990-1997).
This essay is based on remarks made by Mrs. Robinson at Harvard Business School,
Boston, Massachusetts, on April 28, 2008, on the occasion of the U.S. Network Meeting
of the United Nations Global Compact.
© 2008 Mary Robinson
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Mary Robinson
no matter what part of the globe we inhabit, no matter our color, religion, Sex, oder
livelihood. Sixty years later, the Declaration—and its careful balance of individual
freedoms, social protection, economic opportunity, and duties to community—is
the one international human rights instrument that all governments have repeat-
edly affirmed, most recently at the 2005 UN World Summit.
One of the most under-appreciated parts of the human rights story of the past
six decades is the extent to which this single text has exerted a moral, politisch, Und
legal influence around the world. The Universal Declaration has been a primary
source of
inspiration
for all post-war inter-
national legislation in
the field of human
rights. Its provisions
have served as a model
for many domestic
constitutions and laws,
regulations and poli-
cies
protect
human rights. Most
importantly,
Die
Declaration has been a
beacon of hope for
millions during long
years of oppression.
Recall for a moment the world of
1948, the year the Universal
Declaration came into being.
Nations were emerging from a
devastating world war, von dem
Holocaust, and the first use of
nuclear weapons against civilians.
The Cold War had begun. People
were searching for common threads
that would bind nations together
and increase human security for all.
But this positive
assessment obviously
needs to be tempered.
As the International
Council on Human
Rights Policy, one of
the partner organizations in the work I now lead at Realizing Rights, has stated in
a recent publication:
Das
As their standing and influence have increased, human rights have also
been more actively contested, by more powerful actors. Where formerly
they were tolerated because considered marginal… the frequent refer-
ences made to human rights in the context of North-South relations, Und
most recently the force of human rights legal criticisms of the conduct of
the ‘war on terror’ have caused many governments to want to restrict or
reverse the application of human rights. Criticism of human rights has
become more widespread and explicit, especially in wealthier coun-
tries.… Opposition and influence have risen together, creating a degree
of disorientation.1
We know as well that despite the development of international human rights law
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Realizing Rights
over the past 60 Jahre, massive rights violations continue today. Having law on the
books hasn’t resulted in universal human rights protection. Genocide is happening
wieder. Widespread discrimination against women and minorities takes place
around the globe. Basic standards for work are ignored. Poverty is trapping many
millions in lives of despair.
FROM DECLARATION TO ACTION:
REALIZING RIGHTS IN THE 21ST CENTURY
So what are the lessons to be learned for future efforts not only to protect human
rights, but also to work proactively to ensure their realization? Many exist. Here I
focus on five, each of which is
illustrated by one or more of the
cases from this special edition of
Innovations journal focused on the
theme of “realizing rights.”
One of the most under-
appreciated parts of the
human rights story of the
past six decades is the extent
to which this single text has
exerted a moral, political and
legal influence around the
Welt.
A first lesson—perhaps an
obvious but often unstated
truth—is that in large areas of the
world great numbers of people
remain poor and their govern-
ments lack resources as well, Und
as a result they look primarily to
their own local communities for
support and assistance. In essence,
they cannot claim their rights as
envisioned under human rights
Instrumente. Think of this in the
context of work. The vast majority
of the world’s workers—including the poorest, those most in need of protection—
are in the informal sector. This creates an acute practical challenge for govern-
gen.
To create conditions in which the human rights of very poor or marginalized
communities can be protected, governments will need to find new ways of reach-
ing into and serving such communities, and human rights organizations will need
to find new ways of winning their trust. In my view, these things can probably only
be done by building alliances with organizations that have a long-term presence in
such communities—religious organizations, community groups, Entwicklung
NGOs, and others.
The struggle for human rights is inevitably a struggle for power, and one that
is generally tied to resources. Policies and programs that address economic and
social inequalities are a necessary underpinning for promotion of all human
rights. The essay in this special issue of Innovations by Bunker Roy about the
Barefoot College of Tilonia offers a powerful description of what economic and
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Mary Robinson
social empowerment of the marginalized means, and the remarkable dividends
that such empowerment can yield.
Finding ways to safeguard legal rights is another vitally important aspect of the
empowerment of the marginalized. Over the past year I have served on the
Commission for the Legal Empowerment of the Poor, chaired by Hernando de
Soto and Madeline Albright. Our Commission has emphasized the importance of
access to justice and the rule of law in guaranteeing all other rights. Safeguarding
the rights of those living in
poverty is a challenge we all
must face if we hope to create
more inclusive, prosperous,
and fairer societies.
Human rights cannot be
realized in the absence of
effective and accountable
institutions. Where courts are
corrupt, over-burdened, Und
inefficient, basic civil rights will
be violated. Where social
ministries are under-resourced,
disempowered, or lack qualified
Personal, basic rights to adequate
Gesundheitspflege, Ausbildung, Und
housing will remain unfulfilled.
This leads to a second les-
son and challenge—more
must be done to support
Entwicklung
In
building their own national
protection
für
human rights. By national
protection systems, I mean
Die
institutional arrange-
ments that function under
the national constitutional
and legal order to ensure that
human rights—based on the
international commitments
of the State—are protected.
That includes the courts, Die
legislature, as well as national
human rights institutions or
human rights commissions. It also includes health and education systems and
other public services. This must be complemented by space for civil society and
human rights defenders, and support for their relationship with the formal system
of promoting and protecting human rights.
Länder
Systeme
Human rights cannot be realized in the absence of effective and accountable
institutions. Where courts are corrupt, over-burdened, and inefficient, basic civil
rights will be violated. Where social ministries are under-resourced, disempow-
ered, or lack qualified staff, basic rights to adequate health care, Ausbildung, Und
housing will remain unfulfilled. Institution building and reform is neither easy nor
particularly newsworthy—it is, Jedoch, essential.
Another essay in this special edition, written by Karen Tse, tells the story of
how one woman with an exceptional commitment to justice is developing new
approaches to support the work of public defenders. While the work of
International Bridges for Justice has focused to date on China, Kambodscha, Und
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Realizing Rights
Vietnam, it has significant implications for much of the rest of the world—the ulti-
mate objective being nothing less than ending the practice of torture in this centu-
ry.
Support for capacity building brings me to a third challenge—defining inter-
national obligations more concretely. There has been growing acceptance in recent
decades of the need to create forms of legitimate supra-national authority because
action taken only at national level will not solve many of the world’s complex
problems. We know many such problems, including climate change, trade imbal-
ances, the spread of pandemics and new diseases, the illegal trade in weapons and
indeed people, and the regulation and monitoring of nuclear technology, among
Andere.
In all these cases, international coordination and collective action are required
if we hope to see positive change. Yet the reality is that today states are frequently
unable to achieve effective cooperation. The exceptions are in those cases where
short term national interests are evident. This weakness can also be seen in human
rights law, which has not yet evolved to deal with the transnational responsibilities
of states.
Consider the urgent human rights dilemmas posed by climate change. Few dis-
pute that climate change is likely to undermine the realization of a broad range of
internationally protected human rights: rights to health and even life; rights to
food, Wasser, shelter, and property; the rights of indigenous and traditional peoples;
rights associated with livelihood and culture, with migration and resettlement, Und
with personal security in the event of conflict.
The most dramatic impacts of climate change will likely occur—and are
already being experienced—in the world’s poorest countries, where rights protec-
tions are often weak. Populations whose rights are poorly protected are less
equipped to know about or prepare for climate change effects or to be able to lobby
effectively for government or international action. Added to this, responsibility for
impacts in the most vulnerable countries often lies not with the government near-
est to hand, but with diffuse actors, both public and private, many of whom are
located far away. Human rights law does not easily reach across national borders to
impose obligations in matters such as these.
Although human rights advocates and international legal bodies are increas-
ingly interested in so-called “extraterritorial” obligations, new norms and agreed
practice in this area won’t emerge rapidly. Over the short term, the “delivery gap”
between the need for effective international action on global issues and the ability
to achieve results will in all likelihood widen with increasingly harmful effects on
individuals and communities, and on the political credibility of governments.
As I have noted elsewhere, both organizational and individual political trust
depend on credible policy-making, but that political trust does not emerge or
operate in a vacuum. Social trust, referring to citizens’ confidence in each other as
members of a social community,
is closely linked with political trust.2
Governments have many tools to foster social trust, including economic and social
policy-making that reduces marginalization and inequalities, and fighting crime,
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Mary Robinson
Text Box 1: The United Nations Global Compact
The Global Compact is a United Nations led corporate citizenship initiative
presently involving over 3,000 companies from around the world who voluntar-
ily commit to upholding the following ten principles:
Human Rights
Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internation-
ally proclaimed human rights; Und
Principle 2: Make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
Labor Standards
Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effec-
tive recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
Principle 4: The elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labor;
Principle 5: The effective abolition of child labor; Und
Principle 6: The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and
Beruf.
Umfeld
Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environ-
mental challenges;
Principle 8: Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibil-
ität; Und
Principle 9: Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally
friendly technologies.
Anti-Corruption
Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, inkl-
ing extortion and bribery.
Quelle:
conflict, and other forms of social instability. The cornerstone of trust and legiti-
macy in democratic societies is the ability of nations to accomplish leadership suc-
cession through free and fair elections. The case in this issue by Ian Schuler of the
National Democratic Institute provides a fascinating illustration of how cell
phones can today be used as tools in election monitoring. While still limited in
their application, such new approaches hint at a world in which the routine of reg-
ular, legitimate elections is one experience by the overwhelming majority of the
world’s population, and not a fortunate few.
The current absence of legitimate national governments in too many places
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compounded by ineffective international governance has led to an increasing focus
on the human rights responsibilities of non-state actors—the corporate sector
being front and center in this debate, given its power and influence in today’s
Welt. Defining the nature and scope of corporate responsibilities more precisely
is a fourth challenge I see for the years ahead.
We all know that numerous factors lie behind the greater business emphasis on
human rights: strong ethical convictions of some leading executives; calculation of
reputational risk; the impact of public opinion; the behavior of peers and competi-
tors; Personal
loyalty and per-
formance and new interna-
tional policies. There is also
recognition from corporate
leaders that a stable, rule-
based society is essential to
the smooth running of a
business. Companies need
assurance that their contracts
will be enforced in a court of
law and that their property
and investment will be pro-
tected.
The current absence of
legitimate national governments
in too many places compounded
by ineffective international
governance has led to an
increasing focus on the human
rights responsibilities of non-
state actors—the corporate
sector being front and center in
this debate given its power and
influence in today’s world.
Thanks to initiatives like
the United Nations Global
Compact (see Text Box 1),
more companies have come
to see that upholding human
rights principles consistently
throughout their operations
helps contribute to the devel-
opment of effective legal systems. Zusätzlich, by speaking out for and supporting
the rule of law companies can help to create fertile ground in which human rights
can flourish. New Global Compact networks have been established recently at the
regional level for countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council and at the national
level in Russia. These developments are important indicators of business commu-
nity commitment to human rights, labor and environmental standards and the
fight against corruption.
In this domain, few have done more than the author of the other lead essay in
this special issue, Peter Eigen. Through his work as the founder of Transparency
International and now also as the Chair of the Extractive Industries Transparency
Initiative, Peter has demonstrated vision and courage in tackling the problem of
corruption that, when he began, few would even openly acknowledge existed.
The more deeply we engage in these issues and the more progress we make in
their resolution, the more also we realize how much work remains. Zum Beispiel,
voluntary initiatives on corporate responsibility like the Global Compact, welche
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Mary Robinson
have expanded enormously in recent years, have not yet engaged many state-
owned enterprises from emerging market economies, which are fast becoming
important players on the global stage. Gleichzeitig, multi-stakeholder efforts
that seek to clarify corporate responsibilities on a range of thematic issues—such
as labor rights violations, threats to personal security, and freedom of expression,
among others—have generally not developed adequate reporting and accountabil-
ity practices to ensure their legitimacy among stakeholders and the public. Diese
are enormous challenges still to be addressed.
Die
Equally important, the effort needed to integrate human rights values into cor-
porate culture obviously requires substantial resources for training programs and
continuous improve-
ment. Sending
Die
message to employees
Das
company
believes in the broad
human rights agenda
and that this should
be a key part of busi-
ness decisions at every
level is much easier
said than done.
All human beings are born free and
equal in dignity and rights. Das ist
what Article 1 of the Universal
Declaration says. That statement is as
meaningful and as important today
as it was in 1948. Let’s take our
birthright in our own hands and use
it the way Eleanor Roosevelt and the
other drafters of the Universal
Declaration intended—to realize all
human rights for all people.
Prof. John Ruggie
of Harvard’s Kennedy
School
von
Government,
in his
role as United Nations
Special Representative
von
Sekretär
General on business
and human rights, hat
made a vital contribu-
tion over the past
three years in making the case that all corporations have a responsibility to respect
human rights. In his most recent report (included in this issue of Innovations), Er
has put forward a policy framework built on three principles: to Protect, Respect,
and Remedy.3 It involves the state obligation to protect against human rights abus-
es committed by corporate actors, the corporate responsibility to respect all
human rights, and the need for effective remedies. Prof. Ruggie has suggested that
the corporate responsibility to respect all human rights should be realized through
a number of actions, einschließlich:
• adopting a human rights policy
• taking proactive steps to understand how existing and proposed activities may
Die
affect human rights
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• ensuring regular updates on the impact and performance of human rights
• providing for effective grievance mechanisms to address alleged breaches of
human rights standards.
Endlich, let me turn briefly to a fifth challenge. It concerns the role of employ-
ment and wealth creation in contributing to the realization of a range of human
rights. Human rights advocates have said too little about this subject to date.
Valuable work has been done to bring a human rights perspective to budget analy-
sis and to aid allocations, Zum Beispiel. But new forms of human rights analysis on
employment, economic activity, and equity—and closer cooperation with organi-
zations that specialize in these areas, such as trade unions and companies—will be
required in the years ahead.
How do we increase power in markets for the poor? If their main asset is labor,
how must we support them through legislation on decent work—which includes
not only avoiding child labor and forced labor, but also creating “just and favorable
conditions of work,” and “just and favorable remuneration” that ensures an exis-
tence worthy of human dignity, as the UDHR puts it? How do we reassert the
importance of freedom of association and growth in the U.S. and Europe, Aber
which are under attack today?
We at Realizing Rights are supporting the efforts of the International Labor
Organization and the growing number of civil society actors who are rallying
around the concept of “decent work.” We believe the wider human rights activist
community has an important role to play in thinking with private sector leaders
about the challenges of generating decent employment opportunities for the
future that also contribute to sustainable development. Zum Beispiel, some major
companies have been prepared to examine their whole value chain in a developing
country context to see in what ways they could change their local purchasing or
distribution to create more local sustainable jobs. I hope we can develop such
approaches further in the time ahead.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO REAFFIRM A COMMON BIRTHRIGHT
The 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration this year presents civil society
Organisationen, governments, universities, faith-based groups, Firmen, and oth-
ers around the world with an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of human
rights as our common birthright and help set a positive agenda for human rights
for the 21st century.
With the aim of making the most of this opportunity, the Elders—the group
of leaders brought together last year by Nelson Mandela, of which I am proud to
be a member—have launched the Every Human Has Rights campaign. It calls on
all of us to make a personal pledge to live by the principles of the Universal
Declaration. I encourage you all to learn more about the campaign and get person-
ally involved by visiting
Peter Gabriel, whose idea served as inspiration to help form the Elders,
describes in this issue how technology increasingly plays a central role in ensuring
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Mary Robinson
accountability, whether of government or non-governmental actors. Peter was
among the first people to see how the new generation of technologies could be put
to use in the defense of human rights. Here he reflects on how a concert tour
organized twenty years ago in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights prompted him to launch WITNESS, an initiative
dedicated to assisting people in using audio-visual technologies to document
human rights abuses first through video and today via the Internet. WITNESS
used the most deeply human of approaches to induce action on human rights:
bearing witness. We are pleased that WITNESS is a key partner in the Elders’ Every
Human Has Rights Campaign and that we are working with a range of partners to
help reaffirm and reclaim the importance of the commitments and obligations in
the Universal Declaration.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. That is what
Article 1 of the Universal Declaration says. That statement is as meaningful and as
important today as it was in 1948. Let’s take our birthright into our own hands and
use it the way Eleanor Roosevelt and the other drafters of the Universal
Declaration intended—to realize all human rights for all people.
ANNEX: THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
On December 10th, 1948, the newly formed United Nations adopted a universal dec-
laration that transcended cultural and national boundaries. The Universal
Declaration of Human Rights established a common standard for human achieve-
ment for all peoples and all nations; rooted in the values of freedom, equality, solidar-
ität, tolerance, respect, and shared responsibility. The full text of the declaration in
English follows below.
Im Dezember 2007 the Elders joined with partner organizations around the world
to launch the Every Human Has Rights campaign, celebrating an idea that took shape
sixty years ago this December. To learn more about this initiative and to find versions
of the Declaration in other languages, sehen
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,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous
acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in
which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from
fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common peo-
Bitte,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last
resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be
protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations
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between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their
faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person
and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social
progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation
with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of
human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the great-
est importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Jetzt, daher,
The General Assembly,
Proclaims this Universal 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 peoples of Member States
themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Article 1
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed
with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of
brotherhood.
Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration,
without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, Sex, Sprache, religion, polit-
ical or other opinion, national or social origin, Eigentum, birth or other status.
Außerdem, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, juris-
dictional 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.
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be pro-
hibited in all their forms.
Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
or punishment.
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Article 6
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal
protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimina-
tion in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimi-
nation.
Article 8
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals
for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent
and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of
any criminal charge against him.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an inde-
pendent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations
and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11
1. Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent
until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the
guarantees necessary for his defence.
2. No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or
omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or internation-
al law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed
than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, heim
or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has
the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the bor-
ders of each State.
2. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return
to his country.
Article 14
1. Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from per-
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secution.
2. This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising
from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of
the United Nations.
Article 15
1. Everyone has the right to a nationality.
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right
to change his nationality.
Article 16
1. Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or
religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal
rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
2. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the
intending spouses.
3. The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is enti-
tled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17
1. Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with oth-
ers.
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18
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, üben, worship and observance.
Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes
freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart
information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
2. No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21
1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or
through freely chosen representatives.
2. Everyone has the right to equal access to public service in his country.
3. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; Das
will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by univer-
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Mary Robinson
sal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting
Verfahren.
Article 22
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to
realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accor-
dance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, sozial
and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his
personality.
Article 23
1. Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and
favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
2. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal
arbeiten.
3. Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration
ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, Und
supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
4. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection
of his interests.
Article 24
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of work-
ing hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25
1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-
being of himself and of his family, including food, Kleidung, housing and medical
care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unem-
ployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in
circumstances beyond his control.
2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. Alle
Kinder, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26
1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the ele-
mentary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory.
Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher
education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personal-
ity and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental free-
doms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations,
racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for
the maintenance of peace.
3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given
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to their children.
Realizing Rights
Article 27
1. Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the communi-
ty, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
2. Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests
resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the
author.
Article 28
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and free-
doms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29
1. Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full develop-
ment of his personality is possible.
2. In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to
such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due
recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the
just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democrat-
ic society.
3. These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the pur-
poses and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or
person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the
destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
1. International Council on Human Rights Policy, Catching the Wind—Human Rights: Ein
Anniversary Reflection, page 7, available at
2. See statement delivered by Mary Robinson to the 7th Global Forum on Reinventing
Government: Building Trust in Government, United Nations Headquarters, Vienna, 26 Juni
2007.
3. John Ruggie, “Protect, Respect and Remedy: a Framework for Business and Human Rights”
(Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the issue of human rights and
transnational corporations and other business enterprises), United Nations Press Release
A/HRC/8/5 7 April 2008; < http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/8session/A-
HRC-8-5.doc>.
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