1. UN Declaration of Human Rights

2. UNDHR consists of 30 articles Eleanor Roosevelt played a major role in the development of the UNDHR. Some Muslim nations, such as Sudan, Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, claim that the UNDHR favours western tradition/cultural and religious context.

3. The UNDHR is not a binding legal document In 1968, the UN International Conference on Human Rights “constitutes an obligation for the members of the international community” to protect and preserve the rights of its citizenry.

4. The UNDHR was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1948. Ratified by the following vote: 40 – In favour 0 – Against 8 – Abstentions (all Soviet Bloc countries, South Africa, Saudi Arabia) The UNDHR has been translated into over 300 different languages.

5. Questions to Consider… 1. Why do you think the UDHR was created in the late 1940s? What might it be in response to? 2. Do you think it is necessary to have a document like the UDHR? Why or why not? 3. Why would a nation choose to abstain (not sign) the UDHR agreement? 4. Are there any articles that you think should not be included in the UDHR? Why do you think they were included? 5. Do you think most people in Canada are aware of their rights? Most people in the world?