75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Despite Challenges, U.N. Human Rights Chief Insists 'Human Rights Have Not Failed'

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a foundational document of the international order, is marking its 75th anniversary.
The declaration, approved by the U.N. General Assembly in 1948, sets out fundamental rights and freedoms, including equality, freedom from slavery and torture, and the right to education.
Despite not being a treaty or legally binding, the principles of the declaration have been incorporated into many countries' laws and have inspired over 70 human rights treaties.
U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk insists that 'human rights have not failed,' despite the world being at a 'somber moment in history,' wracked by conflicts and crises.
Amnesty International calls the declaration 'living proof that a global vision for human rights is possible,' despite it being 'too often misused and abused.'