UN Declaration of Human Rights: 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.

This is a big statement.

It should be noted now that the Declaration is not a convention which means that member states cannot sign up to it. It’s merely, as it says, a declaration. Declarations are important however as they are statements of intention. This Declaration was intended to establish these rights and freedoms without distinction. In other words to override any concept of sovereignty. Which is probably why most countries have ignored it, in part or whole. Which is why it is important for us to revisit this not just to celebrate it every 10 years but to actual scrutinise it.

Is it workable? Would member states all be happy to stand up and make this Declaration out loud in front of the General Assembly? If the answer is no then it needs to be looked at again to establish its relevance.