REPORT OF UNESCO EXPERT MEETING ON - APCEIU

Rights (UDHR) which provides an overview of human rights in a less complicated manner.
In summary here are the main points to take note of in UDHR:
1. Importance of the UDHR:
a. The UDHR is a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.
b. It urges peoples and governments to educate ALL peoples about their human rights and freedoms.
c. It calls for securing universal and effective recognition and observance of human rights through
progressive national and international measures.
d. It provides for some limitations to the exercise of human rights.
e. It recognizes people’s duty to their community.
2. Basic Principles
a. Concept of human being and equality
- every human being is born free and equal in rights and dignity, and endowed with reason and
conscience. And thus every human being is expected to act toward other human beings in a spirit of
brotherhood/sisterhood.
b. Non-discrimination
- race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property,
birth or other status, political status of country or territory are not bases for exception in human
rights.
c. Respect and observance
- respect for all human rights is expected from all human beings
- universal observance of human rights is achievable through progressive measures
d. Individuals and community
- the individual is important but meaningful exercise of rights happen in the context of the family,
community and in some cases groups.
e. Social and international order
- everyone is entitled to a social and international order in order that the rights stated in UDHR can
be fully realized.
f. Limitations on exercise of rights
- subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due
recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of
morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
Specific rights would refer to the articles (Articles 3 -27) in the UDHR as listed earlier.
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