The “Universal” Declaration of Human Rights; 1948
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10th, 1948 and is regarded as a monumental step toward promoting global freedom and equality. Its goal was to establish a common standard for human rights that would apply to all people regardless of nationality, race, or religion in the wake of World War II. However, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been critiqued for its application which has historically favored Western powers and their geopolitical interests.
In addition to the adoption of the UDHR, 1948 saw the official implementation of apartheid in South Africa and the violent displacement of approximately 750,000 Palestinians during the Nakba. While the UDHR asserts the right to equality and freedom from racial discrimination, many Western countries were slow to condemn apartheid, and some even maintained economic and political ties with the regime in South Africa for decades. The international community’s delayed response to apartheid exemplified how Western interests sometimes overshadowed the universal application of human rights.
Similarly, the creation of Israel in 1948 led to the forced displacement of approximately 750,000 Palestinians. The UDHR guarantees the right to self-determination and protection from forced displacement, yet Western nations, particularly the United States, have historically supported Israel, often at the expense of Palestinian rights. The plight of Palestinians has been largely sidelined in global diplomacy, raising questions about the UDHR’s commitment to protecting all people equally. To make matters more tricky, there are no mechanisms in place to ensure that member states uphold the UDHR.
The UDHR’s flaws are also evident in the legacy of colonialism and imperialism. While the declaration champions the right to self-determination, many former colonial powers maintained political and economic dominance over their former colonies. Western nations frequently used their influence to shape the terms of decolonization in ways that preserved their economic interests.
The UN General Assembly consists of 193 member states and the UN Security Council consists of 15 member states, 5 of whom (including the United States) have veto power. This means that one member state can veto an action that is supported by the vast majority of the General Assembly. Historically, the United States has used its veto power many times to protect South Africa and Israel against past UN action. Apartheid in South Africa officially ended in 1994 in large part due to pressure from the international community.
Tags: human rights, peace education
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Kathryn Wood
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We must resist oligarchy
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