Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The following is an abridged version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948.

Click here to download and print a beautiful color rendering of the abridged version suitable for framing.

For the full text of the Declaration, go to http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html.

Although the Declaration, which comprises a broad range of rights, is not a legally binding document, it has inspired more than 60 human rights instruments which together constitute an international standard of human rights. These instruments include the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which are legally binding treaties. Together with the Universal Declaration, they constitute the International Bill of Rights.

A copy of the Declaration is available in most libraries, from United Nations information centers in each nation's capital city, and on the United Nations Internet website.

1. Every person is born free and equal in dignity and rights.

2. Every person has human rights regardless of race, sex, language, belief or religion.

3. Every person has the right to life, liberty and security.

4. Slavery and the slave trade are prohibited.

5. No person shall be subjected to torture.

6. Every person has the right to recognition as a person before the law.

7. All persons are entitled to equal protection before the law.

8. Every person is entitled to the aid of law when not treated fairly.

9. No person shall be subjected to arbitrary detention.

10. Every person is entitled to an impartial hearing.

11. Every person shall be considered innocent until proven guilty.

12. Every person has the right to protection of his or her privacy.

13. Every person has the right to travel freely within a country and to leave and return to his or her country.

14. Every person has the right to asylum from persecution.

15. Every person has the right to a nationality.

16. All adults have the right to marry of their own free will and to found a family.

17. Every person has the right to own property.

18. Every person has the right to freedom of religion.

19. Every person has the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

20. Every person has the right to freedom of personal assembly and association.

21. Every person has the right to take part in the government of his or her country.

22. Every person has economic, social and cultural rights.

23. Every person has the right to work, to just pay, and to form and join unions.

24. Every person has the right to rest and leisure.

25. Every person has the right to an adequate standard of living.

26. Every person has the right to an education.

27. Every person has the right to participate in cultural activities and benefit from scientific advancement.

28. Every person is entitled to a social order in which these human rights can be realized.

29. Every person has duties to the democratic society according to the law.

30. No person can take away these rights and freedoms.

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