What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a historic document which outlined the rights and freedoms everyone is entitled to.

It was the first international agreement on the basic principles of human rights. 

It laid the foundation for the human rights protections that we have in the UK today. 

It formed the basis of the European Convention on Human Rights, which in turn was incorporated in UK law by the Human Rights Act 1998.

Nearly every state in the world has accepted the Declaration.

It has inspired more than 80 international conventions and treaties, as well as numerous regional conventions and domestic laws.

It has been the catalyst for improving human rights protections for groups such as disabled people, indigenous peoples and women.

It has been translated into more than 360 languages.

The International Bill of Human Rights is an informal name given to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights along with the following UN human rights treaties:

• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights