75 Years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Audio Brief

A short, spoken-word summary from CSIS’s Marti Flacks on the commentary series, 75 Years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This compilation of commentaries to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) points to the breadth of impact the UDHR has had on international norms and on U.S. foreign policy in the seven decades since its adoption by the UN General Assembly.

Driven by the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust, the UDHR was drafted by a broad mix of thinkers from around the world, including representatives from Australia, Chile, China, France, Lebanon, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It called for equality for all peoples, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or gender, at a time when such rights were not being protected in most of the countries that adopted the UDHR, including the United States. Several commentaries point to the influence of Global South voices in the formation of the UDHR, and the challenges that governments have faced in applying its principles consistently across countries and regions, including in the context of great power competition. They also emphasize the continued relevance of the UDHR to current global challenges, from access to water to managing the impact of emerging technologies. Finally, while acknowledging difficulties in enforcing UDHR’s protections, many experts make the case for continued U.S. leadership in defending the global human rights, and for better operationalizing these commitments in U.S. foreign policy.

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Someone Has to Lead

Despite a flawed human rights record and continuing struggles at home, the United States needs to continue to lead the campaign for universal human rights.

Commentary by Daniel F. Runde — December 1, 2023

Why The UDHR Still Matters

Seventy-five years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was drafted, James A. Lewis takes stock of what it has achieved and whether its values remain relevant.

Commentary by James Andrew Lewis — November 30, 2023

Breaking Point: Human Rights in a Multipolar World

In an increasingly multipolar world, a growing number of authoritarian leaders seek impunity for their human rights violations by aligning themselves with great power protectors like Russia and China. This undermines the universality of the rights enumerated by the UDHR.

Commentary by Natasha Hall — November 30, 2023

Export Controls and Human Rights: An Emerging Technology Agenda

Export controls can help limit authoritarian regimes’ access to surveillance technology made in democracies, but they cannot prevent such regimes from developing and selling that technology to each other.  

Commentary by Emily Benson and Catharine Mouradian — November 29, 2023

The Right to Be Left Alone: Privacy in a Rapidly Changing World

The world is changing, but the need for privacy and human rights in a democratic society remains constant. Governments should tailor surveillance to what is necessary to achieve public interests without unduly infringing on the privacy rights of the broader population.

Commentary by Caitlin Chin-Rothmann — November 29, 2023

Why Responsible Mining Is a Human Rights Imperative

The UDHR can, and should, be a guiding force for the mining industry to improve its practices by preventing negative health and environmental consequences, ensuring food security, and protecting cultural heritage and biodiversity.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran — November 29, 2023