"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." This is a direct quote from the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which was formulated to create a standard that every nation should meet in regards to the human rights of their citizens. It aims to achieve universal respect and dignity for the rights of all humans which in turn will promote and achieve justice and world peace. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the inspiration for many other human right declarations such as The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), The International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESR), and The American Convention on Human Right (ACHR). Each document, despite their similar purpose, sets its own standard of rights and has its own distinctive features which have all emerged from their past history. Certain historical events have shaped the advancement of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the ICCPR, ICESR, and the ACHR. The idea behind human rights has been around since human existence but what events in history led to the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and made it into the important document it is today? .
The concept of human rights refers to the treatment of each individual life and the rights given to every individual agreed to by society, and the government such as the right to life, the right to freedom of opportunity, right to freedom of speech etc. The idea of human rights is ancient, but it was only after World War II that a concern was raised for the protection and enforcement of human rights and freedoms. After the horrific events of World War II the United Nations and the international community believed it was time to guarantee the respect for human rights universally.
