UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS
In December of 1948, the General Assembly of the United
Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights. All member countries were called upon to
publicise the text of the declaration.
The Universal Declaration was adopted by the General Assembly on 10 December 1948 by a
vote of 48 in favour, 0 against, with 8 abstentions: the Soviet Union, Ukrainian
SSR, Byelorussian SSR, People's Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, People's Republic of
Poland, Union of South Africa, Czechoslovakia and the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia. Honduras and Yemen, both members of UN at the time, failed to appear for vote. The
South African position can be seen as a kind of protection of the system of apartheid in South
Africa, which clearly violated any number of articles in the declaration.
The United Nations Charter “reaffirmed faith in fundamental human rights, and dignity and
worth of the human person" and committed all member states to promote "universal respect
for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as
to race, sex, language, or religion"
1. We are all born free and We are all born free. We all have our own thoughts and ideas. We
equal should all be treated in the same way.
2. Don’t Discriminate These rights belong to everybody, whatever our differences.
3. The right to life We all have the right to life, and to live in freedom and safety.
4. No Slavery Nobody has any right to make us a slave. We cannot make anyone
our slave.
5. No Torture Nobody has any right to hurt us or torture us.
6. You have rights no matter I am a person just like you!
where you go
7. We’re all equal before the The law is the same for everyone. It must treat us all fairly.
law
8. Your human rights are We can all ask for the law to help us when we are not treated fairly.
protected by law
9. No unfair detainment Nobody has the right to put us in prison without good reason and
keep us there, or to send us away from our country.
10. The right to trial If we are put on trial this should be in public. The people who try us
should not let anyone tell them what to do.
11. We’re always innocent till Nobody should be blamed for doing something until it is proven.
proven guilty When people say we did a bad thing we have the right to show it is
not true.
12. The right to Privacy Nobody should try to harm our good name. Nobody has the right to
come into our home, open our letters or bother is or our family
without a good reason.
13. Freedom to move We all have the right to go where we want in our own country and
to travel as we wish.
14. The right to seek a safe If we are frightened of being badly treated in our own country, we
place to live all have the right to run away to another country to be safe.
15. Right to a Nationality We all have the right to belong to a country.
16. Marriage and Family Every grown-up has the right to marry and have a family if they
want to. Men and women have the same rights whether they are
married, and when they are separated.
17. The right to your own Everyone has the right to own things or share them. Nobody should
things take our things from us without good reason.
18. Freedom of Thought We all have the right to believe in what we want to believe, to have
a religion, or to change it if we want.
19. Freedom of Expression We all have the right to make up our own minds, to think, and to
share our ideas with other people.
20. The right to Public We all have the right to meet our friends and to work together in
Assembly peace to defend our rights. Nobody can make us join a group if we
don’t want to.
21. The right to Democracy We all have the right to take part in the government of our country.
Every grown-up should be allowed to choose their own leaders.
22. Social Security We all have the right to affordable housing, medicine, education,
and child care, enough money to live on and medical help if we are
ill or old.
23. Workers’ Rights Every grown-up has the right to do a job, to a fair wage for their
work, and to join a trade union
24. The right to Play We all have the right to rest from work and to relax
25. Food and Shelter for all We all have the right to a good life. Mothers and children, people
who are old, unemployed or disabled, and all people have the right
to be cared for.
26. The right to Education Education is a right. Primary school should be free. We should learn
about the United Nations and how to get on with others. Our
parents can choose what we learn.
27. Copyright Copyright is a special law that protects one’s own artistic creations
and writings; others cannot make copies without permission. We all
have the right to our own way of life and to enjoy the good things
that art, science and learning bring.
28. A fair and Free world There must be proper order so we can all enjoy rights and freedoms
in our own country and all over the world.
29. Responsibility We have a duty to other people, and we should protect their rights
and freedoms.
30. No one can take away your Human Rights
CONSIDERING THE 30 HUMAN RIGHTS CREATED IN 1948
Based on what you have learnt so far about Indigenous Australia and their struggles for
Rights and Freedoms list 3 of the 30 Human Rights that you think were not being granted
to Indigenous Australians.
HUMAN RIGHT YOUR JUSTIFICATION
Now you have spent a few more weeks learning about Indigenous Australia and their
struggles for Rights and Freedoms list 3 more Human Rights that you think were not/are
being granted to Indigenous Australians.
HUMAN RIGHT YOUR JUSTIFICATION