Focus Question 2: Where Do Human Rights Come From?

In 1948 the United Nations passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While the rights set out in this document have been added to in various other human rights declarations by the United Nations since, it remains the basic statement of what we expect as the minimum standard in human rights today.

The recognition of rights that are today claimed as universal did not just happen. They were often fought for over a long period of time, resulting in revolution or negotiated in peace treaties or as part of national and international responses to circumstances and practices.
 

Activities

2a: The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

2b: United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights

2c: Culture and Human Rights

For the teacher | Human Rights Introduction | 1: What Are Human Rights? | 2: Where Do Human Rights Come From? | 3: How Do We Characterise Human Rights in Australia? | 4: How Do We Preserve and Improve Human Rights?

Overview of activities:  Focus Question 1 | Focus Question 2 | Focus Question 3 | Focus Question 4