wendy 61 years ago today the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (link to full text). The Human Rights Action Center produced the following beautiful video to summarize the rights. Since the video does not have an audio component, the content is not accessible to some people with low vision or blindness. Linking to the full text of the declaration isn’t a good alternative because the video summarizes the declaration making it easier to understand. The text in the video also has a stronger emotional impact by phrasing the rights in terms of “*you* have the right…” So, here’s the video followed by a transcript.
Every man, woman, and child on earth is born free and equal in dignity and rights.
We are brothers and sisters of this world.
We have reason and conscience and should be friendly towards one another.
Everyone is entitled to the rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights regardless of age, sex, race, religion, politics, color, nationality, wealth, language, beliefs, birthplace, traditions, economics, weight, skin, style, thoughts, feelings, hairstyle, differences, size, lifestyle, height, preference, orientation.
You have the right to live in freedom and safety.
Nobody has the right to treat you as their slave or torture you.
The law is the same for everyone.
You have the right to legal protection.
You have the right to a fair and public trial.
No one shall be arrested, put in jail, or exiled without good reason.
You are innocent until proven guilty.
You have the right:
- to privacy,
- to move throughout the world,
- to enjoy freedom from persecution in other countries,
- to a nationality.
You have the right to marry and have a family.
Your government should protect your family.
You should have the right to own property and possessions.
You have the right to think what you want and say what you like, to practice your religion freely, and organize peacefully.
You have the right to take part in your country’s political affairs.
Governments should be voted for regularly and all votes are equal.
The society in which you live should help you to develop.
You have the right to work and to a fair salary.
Each work day should not be too long.
You have the right to expect a decent standard of living.
You have the right to go to school.
Education should strive to promote peace and understanding among all people.
You have the right to share in your community’s arts and sciences.
You must respect the social order that is necessary for these rights to be available.
You must respect the rights of others, the community, and public property.
Nobody shall attempt in any way to destroy the rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.