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What are the 30 rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

70th anniversary: Adopted and proclaimed by the United Nations on December 10th, 1948. Illustrations by Graham Corcoran

French President Vincent Auriol delivering a speech at the end of the UN general assembly in 1948
French President Vincent Auriol delivering a speech at the end of the UN general assembly in 1948
Mon Dec 10 2018 - 13:55

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on December 10th, 1948, as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.
When children are born, they are free and each should be treated in the same way. They have reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a friendly manner
When children are born, they are free and each should be treated in the same way. They have reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a friendly manner

Article 1 -- When children are born, they are free and each should be treated in the same way. They have reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a friendly manner

Everyone can claim the following rights, despite - a different sex - a different skin colour - speaking a different language - thinking different things - believing in another religion - owning more or less - being born in another social group - coming from another country. It also makes no difference whether the country you live in is independent or not.
Everyone can claim the following rights, despite - a different sex - a different skin colour - speaking a different language - thinking different things - believing in another religion - owning more or less - being born in another social group - coming from another country. It also makes no difference whether the country you live in is independent or not.

Article 2 -- Everyone can claim the following rights, despite - a different sex - a different skin colour - speaking a different language - thinking different things - believing in another religion - owning more or less - being born in another social group - coming from another country. It also makes no difference whether the country you live in is independent or not.

You have the right to live, and to live in freedom and safety
You have the right to live, and to live in freedom and safety

Article 3 -- You have the right to live, and to live in freedom and safety

Nobody has the right to treat you as his or her slave and you should not make anyone your slave
Nobody has the right to treat you as his or her slave and you should not make anyone your slave

Article 4 -- Nobody has the right to treat you as his or her slave and you should not make anyone your slave

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Nobody has the right to torture you
Nobody has the right to torture you

Article 5 -- Nobody has the right to torture you

You should be legally protected in the same way everywhere, and like everyone else.
You should be legally protected in the same way everywhere, and like everyone else.

Article 6 -- You should be legally protected in the same way everywhere, and like everyone else.

The law is the same for everyone; it should be applied in the same way to all.
The law is the same for everyone; it should be applied in the same way to all.

Article 7 -- The law is the same for everyone; it should be applied in the same way to all.

Article 8 -- You should be able to ask for legal help when the rights your country grants you are not respected.

Nobody has the right to put you in prison, to keep you there, or to send you away from your country unjustly, or without a good reason.
Nobody has the right to put you in prison, to keep you there, or to send you away from your country unjustly, or without a good reason.

Article 9 -- Nobody has the right to put you in prison, to keep you there, or to send you away from your country unjustly, or without a good reason.

If you must go on trial this should be done in public. The people who try you should not let themselves be influenced by others.
If you must go on trial this should be done in public. The people who try you should not let themselves be influenced by others.

Article 10 -- If you must go on trial this should be done in public. The people who try you should not let themselves be influenced by others.

You should be considered innocent until it can be proved that you are guilty. If you are accused of a crime, you should always have the right to defend yourself. Nobody has the right to condemn you and punish you for something you have not done.
You should be considered innocent until it can be proved that you are guilty. If you are accused of a crime, you should always have the right to defend yourself. Nobody has the right to condemn you and punish you for something you have not done.

Article 11 -- You should be considered innocent until it can be proved that you are guilty. If you are accused of a crime, you should always have the right to defend yourself. Nobody has the right to condemn you and punish you for something you have not done.

Article 12 -- You have the right to ask to be protected if someone tries to harm your good name, enter your house, open your letters, or bother you or your family without a good reason

You have the right to come and go as you wish within your country. You have the right to leave your country to go to another one; and you should be able to return to your country if you want.
You have the right to come and go as you wish within your country. You have the right to leave your country to go to another one; and you should be able to return to your country if you want.

Article 13 -- You have the right to come and go as you wish within your country. You have the right to leave your country to go to another one; and you should be able to return to your country if you want.

If someone hurts you, you have the right to go to another country and ask it to protect you. You lose this right if you have killed someone and if you yourself do not respect what is written here.
If someone hurts you, you have the right to go to another country and ask it to protect you. You lose this right if you have killed someone and if you yourself do not respect what is written here.

Article 14 -- If someone hurts you, you have the right to go to another country and ask it to protect you. You lose this right if you have killed someone and if you yourself do not respect what is written here.

You have the right to belong to a country and nobody can prevent you, without a good reason, from belonging to another country if you wish.
You have the right to belong to a country and nobody can prevent you, without a good reason, from belonging to another country if you wish.

Article 15 -- You have the right to belong to a country and nobody can prevent you, without a good reason, from belonging to another country if you wish.

As soon as a person is legally entitled, he or she has the right to marry and have a family. Neither the colour of your skin, nor the country you come from nor your religion should be impediments to doing this. Men and women have the same rights when they are married and also when they are separated. Nobody should force a person to marry. The Government of your country should protect your family and its members.
As soon as a person is legally entitled, he or she has the right to marry and have a family. Neither the colour of your skin, nor the country you come from nor your religion should be impediments to doing this. Men and women have the same rights when they are married and also when they are separated. Nobody should force a person to marry. The Government of your country should protect your family and its members.

Article 16 -- As soon as a person is legally entitled, he or she has the right to marry and have a family. Neither the colour of your skin, nor the country you come from nor your religion should be impediments to doing this. Men and women have the same rights when they are married and also when they are separated. Nobody should force a person to marry. The Government of your country should protect your family and its members.

You have the right to own things and nobody has the right to take these from you without a good reason.
You have the right to own things and nobody has the right to take these from you without a good reason.

Article 17 -- You have the right to own things and nobody has the right to take these from you without a good reason.

You have the right to profess your religion freely, to change it, and to practise it either on your own or with other people.
You have the right to profess your religion freely, to change it, and to practise it either on your own or with other people.

Article 18 -- You have the right to profess your religion freely, to change it, and to practise it either on your own or with other people.

You have the right to think what you want, and to say what you like, and nobody should forbid you from doing so. You should be able to share your ideas - also with people from any other country.
You have the right to think what you want, and to say what you like, and nobody should forbid you from doing so. You should be able to share your ideas - also with people from any other country.

Article 19 -- You have the right to think what you want, and to say what you like, and nobody should forbid you from doing so. You should be able to share your ideas – also with people from any other country.

You have the right to organize peaceful meetings or to take part in meetings in a peaceful way. It is wrong to force someone to belong to a group.
You have the right to organize peaceful meetings or to take part in meetings in a peaceful way. It is wrong to force someone to belong to a group.

Article 20 -- You have the right to organize peaceful meetings or to take part in meetings in a peaceful way. It is wrong to force someone to belong to a group.

You have the right to take part in your country’s political affairs either by belonging to the Government yourself of by choosing politicians who have the same ideas as you. Governments should be voted for regularly and voting should be secret. You should get a vote and all votes should be equal. You also have the same right to join the public service as anyone else.
You have the right to take part in your country’s political affairs either by belonging to the Government yourself of by choosing politicians who have the same ideas as you. Governments should be voted for regularly and voting should be secret. You should get a vote and all votes should be equal. You also have the same right to join the public service as anyone else.

Article 21 -- You have the right to take part in your country's political affairs either by belonging to the Government yourself of by choosing politicians who have the same ideas as you. Governments should be voted for regularly and voting should be secret. You should get a vote and all votes should be equal. You also have the same right to join the public service as anyone else.

The society in which you live should help you to develop and to make the most of all the advantages (culture, work, social welfare) that are offered to you and to all the men and women in your country.
The society in which you live should help you to develop and to make the most of all the advantages (culture, work, social welfare) that are offered to you and to all the men and women in your country.

Article 22 -- The society in which you live should help you to develop and to make the most of all the advantages (culture, work, social welfare) that are offered to you and to all the men and women in your country.

Article 23 -- You have the right to work, to be free to choose your work, and to get a salary that allows you to live and support your family. If a man and a woman do the same work, they should get the same pay. All people who work have the right to join together to defend their interests.

Each work day should not be too long, since everyone has the right to rest and should be able to take regular paid holidays.
Each work day should not be too long, since everyone has the right to rest and should be able to take regular paid holidays.

Article 24 -- Each work day should not be too long, since everyone has the right to rest and should be able to take regular paid holidays.

You have the right to have whatever you need so that you and your family: do not fall ill; do not go hungry; have clothes and a house; and are helped if you are out of work, if you are ill, if you are old, if your wife or husband is dead, or if you do not earn a living for any other reason you cannot help. Both a mother who is going to have a baby and her baby should get special help. All children have the same rights, whether or not the mother is married.
You have the right to have whatever you need so that you and your family: do not fall ill; do not go hungry; have clothes and a house; and are helped if you are out of work, if you are ill, if you are old, if your wife or husband is dead, or if you do not earn a living for any other reason you cannot help. Both a mother who is going to have a baby and her baby should get special help. All children have the same rights, whether or not the mother is married.

Article 25 -- You have the right to have whatever you need so that you and your family: do not fall ill; do not go hungry; have clothes and a house; and are helped if you are out of work, if you are ill, if you are old, if your wife or husband is dead, or if you do not earn a living for any other reason you cannot help. Both a mother who is going to have a baby and her baby should get special help. All children have the same rights, whether or not the mother is married.

You have the right to go to school and everyone should go to school. Primary schooling should be free. You should be able to learn a profession or continue your studies as far as you wish. At school, you should be able to develop all your talents and you should be taught to get on with others, whatever their race, their religion or the country they come from. Your parents have the right to choose how and what you will be taught at school.
You have the right to go to school and everyone should go to school. Primary schooling should be free. You should be able to learn a profession or continue your studies as far as you wish. At school, you should be able to develop all your talents and you should be taught to get on with others, whatever their race, their religion or the country they come from. Your parents have the right to choose how and what you will be taught at school.

Article 26 -- You have the right to go to school and everyone should go to school. Primary schooling should be free. You should be able to learn a profession or continue your studies as far as you wish. At school, you should be able to develop all your talents and you should be taught to get on with others, whatever their race, their religion or the country they come from. Your parents have the right to choose how and what you will be taught at school.

You have the right to share in your community’s arts and sciences, and in any good they do. Your works as an artist, a writer or a scientist should be protected, and you should be able to benefit from them.
You have the right to share in your community’s arts and sciences, and in any good they do. Your works as an artist, a writer or a scientist should be protected, and you should be able to benefit from them.

Article 27 -- You have the right to share in your community's arts and sciences, and in any good they do. Your works as an artist, a writer or a scientist should be protected, and you should be able to benefit from them.

To make sure that your rights will be respected, there must be an “order” that can protect them. This “order” should be local and worldwide.
To make sure that your rights will be respected, there must be an “order” that can protect them. This “order” should be local and worldwide.

Article 28 -- To make sure that your rights will be respected, there must be an "order" that can protect them. This "order" should be local and worldwide.

You have duties towards the community within which your personality can fully develop. The law should guarantee human rights. It should allow everyone to respect others and to be respected.
You have duties towards the community within which your personality can fully develop. The law should guarantee human rights. It should allow everyone to respect others and to be respected.

Article 29 -- You have duties towards the community within which your personality can fully develop. The law should guarantee human rights. It should allow everyone to respect others and to be respected.

No society and no human being in any part of the world should act in such a way as to destroy the rights that you have just been reading about.
No society and no human being in any part of the world should act in such a way as to destroy the rights that you have just been reading about.

Article 30 -- No society and no human being in any part of the world should act in such a way as to destroy the rights that you have just been reading about.