Of course you support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. You probably know some of them. “All humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights”: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person”: "Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work." You’ve heard these, haven’t you, in one form or another? But do you know all thirty articles? Are you able to cite them and support them when you see, or hear of them being ignored? To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the declaration, proclaimed in December 1948, Allen & Unwin, in association with Amnesty International, has produced a lovely, hardcover, pocket-sized illustrated version, now published in the US by MacAdam/Cage.
After the official preamble, each of the articles is set out on their own page with a facing illustration. Michel Streich’s illustrations are simple, in dark red, back and white, and are abstract enough to convey the full meaning of the words without leading the reader. The paper is thick matt, and it includes a nice grey ribbon bookmark, making this book attractive enough for a gift.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights isn’t a legally binding document, nor is it a treaty, but it provides the basis for many of the treaties and laws that we follow today, and is certainly a clear basis for a morality that can be referred to regardless of background or affiliation. That the focus of these rights is the inherent dignity of mankind, rather than an arbitrary dictation by external agency or “book”, makes them particularly valuable. Streich’s imagery will stay with you and provide a good memory jog.
The articles themselves are timeless, and worthy of committing to memory. Most of the principles here have been ignored or flouted by just about every nation at some time, and some nations continue to do so overtly and shamelessly, so the repetition of these succinct and powerful words is important. It’s only by continuing to stress the inherent and “inalienable” rights of the “human family” that we can begin to move towards some semblance of freedom and peace in the world.
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