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Transformation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
into a Declaration of Universal Human Obligations
This shows the initial transformation from rights to obligations. The original Human Rights text is shown in Roman type; the transformation into obligations is shown in italic type.
PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas recognition of the inherent obligations of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human obligations have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human obligations should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human obligations, and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human obligations,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Whereas a common understanding of these obligations is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.Now, Therefore this Universal Declaration of Human Obligations is proposed as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these obligations and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
1 All human beings are born free and equal in obligations. You are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another as brothers and sisters.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
2 See that these declared universal obligations are recognized by all without exception of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, make no distinction on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
3 Respect and protect the life, liberty and security of all people.
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
4 Free people held in slavery or servitude. Prohibit all forms of slavery and the slave trade.
Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
5 Prevent people from being tortured or subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6.
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
6 Recognize anyone, from anywhere, as a person before the law,
Article 7.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
7 Make sure all are treated equally before the law and get equal protection under the law without discrimination. Protect everyone against discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
8 Ensure that competent national tribunals remedy acts violating fundamental obligations granted to anyone by a constitution or by law.
Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
9 Prevent anyone from being arbitrarily arrested, detained or exiled.
Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
10 Resolve questions of a person’s obligations and of any criminal charge against that person with a fair and public hearing, equal for all, by an independent and impartial tribunal.
Article 11.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
11 (1) Assume that anyone charged with a crime is innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which the accused has had all the guarantees necessary for a defence.
(2) Find no one guilty of any penal offence on account of an act or omission that did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time it was committed. Do not impose a heavier penalty than the one applicable at the time the penal offense was committed.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
12 Do not arbitrarily interfere with another person’s privacy, family, home or correspondence. Do not attack a person’s honour and reputation. Ensure that the law protects against such interference or attacks
Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
13 (1) Allow all people freedom of movement and place of residence within your country.
(2) Allow people to leave your country and return to it.
Article 14.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
14 (1) Welcome to your country those seeking asylum from persecution.
(2) But do not allow people to enjoy asylum if they have committed non-political crimes or acts contrary to United Nations’ principles.
Article 15.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
15 (1) Ensure that everyone in your country has their nationality recognized.
(2)Ensure that people are not arbitrarily deprived of their nationality, nor denied the right to change their nationality.
Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
16 (1) Let a man and a woman of full age marry and found a family, with no limitation regarding race, nationality, or religion. Grant men and women equal rights in going into marriage, during marriage, and at the end of marriage.
(2) Let them marry only with the free and full consent of each of them.
(3) With your neighbors and government, protect each family. It is the fundamental group unit of society.
Article 17.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall. be arbitrarily deprived of his property
17 (1) See that everyone has the right to own property, alone or in association with others.
(2) Let no one be arbitrarily deprived of their property.
Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
18 Allow all people freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. Allow people to change their religion or belief freely. Let them, either alone or in community with others, and in public or private, manifest their religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship or observance
Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
19 Let everyone hold opinions and express them freely without interference. Let them seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
20 (1) Let everyone peacefully assemble and form associations.
(2) Do not compel anyone to belong to an association.
Article 21.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
21 (1) Take part in the government of your country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Give everyone equal access to public service in your country.
(3)Base the authority of your government on the will of the people, expressed through periodic and genuine elections
which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.Article 22.
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
22 Provide every member of your society with social security, and carry out, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of your State, the economic, social and cultural obligations indispensable for their dignity and the free development of their personality.
Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
23 (1) Make sure everyone can work, can choose their employment freely, has just and favourable working conditions, and is protected against unemployment.
(2) Provide equal pay for equal work, without discrimination.
(3) Provide a just and favourable remuneration to people who work, supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection, so that they and their families can live out their lives with dignity,.
(4) Let anyone form or join a trade union for protection of their own interests.
Article 24.
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
24 To allow everyone rest and leisure, put a reasonable limit on working hours, and give periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
25 (1) See that individuals and families have a standard of living adequate for their health and well-being, including clothing, housing, medical care and necessary social services. Provide people with security in old age, or when struck by unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond their control.
(2) Give special care and assistance to mothers and children. Give all children, born in or out of wedlock, the same social protection.
Article 26.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
26 (1)Provide everyone with a free education, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Make elementary education compulsory. Make technical and professional education generally available. Give equal access to higher education to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Make sure education provides full development of the human personality. It must strengthen respect for human obligations, rights, and freedoms. It must promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups.
It must further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.(3) Allow parents to choose the kind of education given to their children.
Article 27.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
27 (1) Make sure everyone can take part in the cultural life of your community, enjoy the arts, and share in scientific advances and their benefits.
(2) Protect the moral and material interests resulting from a scientific, literary or artistic work for its creator.
Article 28.
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
28 Strive for a social and international order that promotes the obligations set forth in this Declaration.
Article 29.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
29 (1) Accept the duties you have as a member of your community, in which alone the free and full development of your personality is possible.
(2) Make sure that exercise of obligations is limited by law solely to secure due recognition and respect for the obligations of others and to meet the just requirements of morality, public order and general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) Ensure that these obligations are not exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30.
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
30 Do not interpret anything in this Declaration as implying any state, group, or person has an obligation
to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the obligations set forth herein. United Nations