Our fundamental human rights can't be taken for granted

Steven Freeland

Sixty years on, there remains much to do to ensure people's protection.

TODAY marks the 60th anniversary of the "birth" of modern international human rights law — the adoption by the UN general assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which remains one of the most important documents ever created.

This is not to say that humans did not have rights before 1948, since by their very nature human rights stem from the dignity of the individual. But as was tragically demonstrated during both world wars of the 20th century, the rights of the individual are often ignored and the agreement represented the first clear formal statement of these fundamental rights. And now The Guinness Book of Records describes it as the world's most translated document.

Despite the overwhelming approval of the General Assembly in 1948, stark differences of opinion subsequently emerged when it came to transforming the non-binding resolution principles into a legally binding treaty. It was not until 1976 that two landmark treaties came into force, one dealing with civil and political rights and the other with economic, social and cultural rights.

Subsequently, many other important treaties have emerged that build on specific aspects of these fundamental rights. These deal with issues that include the Prohibition of Torture, the Rights of the Child, the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

In September 2007, the General Assembly adopted a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which may eventually also be transformed into a treaty. Only Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US voted against the Declaration, although the Rudd Government has since indicated its support. The declaration illustrates the potential for human rights to extend also encompass collective rights.

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