Europe in an Age of Total War: World War II,1939–45 595ginning with an International Court of Justice. The
charter of the UN had tried to launch the postwar era
on a positive note, and this led to the adoption in 1948
of the Universal Declaration of Rights, the first effort in
history to state minimal human rights for the world (see
document 29.4).DOCUMENT 29.4
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948
Preamble
Whereasrecognition of the inherent dignity and of the
equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human
family in the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in
the world,
Whereasdisregard and contempt for human rights have re-
sulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the con-
science of mankind....
Now, therefore,the General Assembly proclaims this universal de-
claration of human rightsas a common standard of achieve-
ment for all peoples and all nations....
Article 1.All human beings are born free and equal in dig-
nity and rights. They are endowed with reason and con-
science and should act towards one another in a spirit of
brotherhood.
Article 2.Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms
set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of anykind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political
or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth,
or other status....
Article 3.Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security
of person.
Article 4.No one shall be held in slavery or servitude....
Article 5.No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, in-
human or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6.Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere
as a person before the law.
Article 7.All are equal before the law and are entitled with-
out discrimination to equal protection.
Brownlie, Ian, ed. Basic Documents of Human Rights. Oxford:
Clarendon, 1992.