Worldwide Influence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Bill of Rights

Summary: This article describes the content and
assesses the significance of each of the main
conventions and convenants that together
compose the International Bill of Rights.

Nearly all international human rights instruments adopted by the United
Nations’ since 1948 elaborate principles set out in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. This and the Convenants make up the
International Bill of Rights.

The Universal Declaration has informed the constitutions of nation states
and its principles have been included or adopted by the Council of Europe,
the Organisation of African Unity, and the American Convention on Human
Rights. Judges of the International Court of Justice too have invoked
principles contained in the Bill as a basis for their decisions.

As well as the Declaration, this article describes the content and assesses
the significance of each of the main conventions and convenants that
together compose the International Bill of Rights.

Those described include: the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights; the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights;
the Convention against Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, the Convention on the Rights of the Child; the
Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against
Women; the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial
Discrimination; The International Court of Justice and the International
Criminal Court.

See the Universal Rights
Network

for other human rights information.
Owner: Kim Gleeson

Articles: 

Countries

    Please note that these reports are hosted by CRIN as a resource for Child Rights campaigners, researchers and other interested parties. Unless otherwise stated, they are not the work of CRIN and their inclusion in our database does not necessarily signify endorsement or agreement with their content by CRIN.