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Creation of the United Nations
As World War II began to end in 1945, 50 countries gathered at the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco to draft and sign the UN Charter, aiming to prevent another world war and establish a new international organization to prevent further destruction. After it's charter had been ratified my major nations such as China, the UK, US, Soviet Union, and France, the
United Nations finally began. Today, it has been promoting peace and cooperation for over 75 years. -
UNESCO
UNESCO, founded in 1945 after WWII, promotes peace through education, science, and culture. It began as a response to rebuilding education in war-torn Europe. Believing peace requires more than politics, UNESCO fosters global citizenship, protects cultural heritage, and supports human rights by promoting education, cultural equality, freedom of expression, and ethical scientific progress. Notably, it was the first UN agency to integrate UDHR into its programs promoting equal dignity and rights. -
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The Nuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg Trials historically held 24 Nazi Germany leaders accountable for their contribution to the holocaust. The Nazi's were charged as war criminals, many sentenced to death. The Allies wanted Nuremberg to symbolize the death of Nazi Germany, as it was the focal location of WWll Nazi propaganda. Allied American,French,British, and Soviet governments worked together to create the London Charter, which created the basis of the trials procedures. The trial was translated into four languages -
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is a non-governmental campaign that focuses on human rights as a 'global movement', containing over 10 million members from 150 different countries and territories. United by members shared sense of humanity and drive to create positive change on human rights issues involving religion, economics, politics, education, environment, and more; Amnesty International and groups alike are vital to ensure human rights are not abused but rather protected and enforced internationally -
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Created by the UN's General Assembly Resolution in Paris 1948, the UDHR was the first time that human rights became universally equal and protected for all people. Translated in over 500 languages, this declaration is made up of thirty articles, each one containing a different right or freedom, with topics including: education, culture, employment, and residence. As a product of WWII atrocities, world leaders decided to complement the UN Charter with a guaranteed set of rights and freedoms. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a pivotal moment in America's shift towards equality and justice for citizens. The act ended segregation in public areas, and also prevented employers to discriminate based off against religion, sex, race, colour, or nationality.
The act was was signed into law by successor Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1961, Kennedy initially wanted to delay the anti-discrimination act, but after many protests, he proposed the detailed civil rights legislation to 'free' The States. -
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
The ICCPR is an international human rights treaty which was created to protect the civil and political rights of societies.
This treaty, along with two others make up the world's International Bill of Human Rights. The Covenant ensures that countries are following the treaty, and applies to all government entities and agents. Human rights such as: religious freedom and privacy, gender equality, and right family life and unity are preserved. -
The International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
The United Nation's International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights is a treaty that provides equal standards and normalities of human rights to 164 different countries.
The multilateral ICESCR came into force in the late 1960's, and along with two other treaties, it makes up one third of the International Bill of Human Rights.
The Covenant addresses rights such as: health care, education, living standards, and labour rights. The ICESCR entered force in Canada in August 1976. -
Covenant on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination
The ICERD is the world centrepiece of protecting and enforcing human rights against racial discrimination in all public and private sectors of lifeCovenant on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination. As World War II ended and the United Nations emerged, African states began to voice their opinion decolonization, and settle that the 'non-discrimination principle' in the Charter of the United Nations would be codified. Drafting took place during the civil rights movement in the US. -
Human Rights Watch
The Human Rights Watch organization investigates and reports different types of abused around the world, focusing on human rights violations that are caused by governments, businesses and armed groups. The watch targets their advocacy towards these groups, in hopes that they will make positive changes to their policies/practices/laws to bring abuser victims to justice. Some of their current projects include deforestation in Malaysia, Russia-Ukraine war, Israel-Palestine war, and Sudan conflict. -
Government on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women
To light all areas of discrimination in which women are denied equality with men, the UN adopted an international treaty for the rights of all women. After the tench anniversary of CEDAW, there were almost 100 nations who agreed to be bound to the treaty. As of 2023, there are 189 nations that have ratified it to take actions to combat discrimination against women. The treaty focuses on females within human rights concerns, 'to ensure the full development and advancement of women'. -
Convention against Torture
The Convention Against Torture, adopted by the UN in 1984, contains over 170 state parties which work to prevent, punish, and outlaw torture under all circumstances such as war, public emergency, or obeying superior orders, can be used to justify torture. States must prosecute or extradite suspects and educate officials on humane treatment. An optional protocol from 2002 allows regular visits to all places where people are deprived of their liberty by independent, international/national bodies. -
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
Know as one of the most powerful and enduring symbols of the Cold War, the Berlin Wall was a barbed wire and concrete barrier built by East Germany, between East and West Berlin.
The initial purpose of the wall was to keep western fascists away from East Germany and it's socialist state. But in 1989, the East German communist leader announced that eastern citizens could cross the border whenever they pleased. This created ecstatic crowds that began to break down the wall with hammers and picks. -
Convention on the Rights of Children
The UNCRC human rights treaty is a international agreement that provided all children up to the age of 18 with a full list of rights. The convention ensures that governments of signatory countries are in charge of making sure that children are informed and aware of their rights, and those rights are respected. Basic principles of the convention are respect of children's voices, their right to life and healthy development, and decisions that are made with children's best interest at the root. -
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The End of Apartheid in South Africa
Apartheid was the policy used is South Africa to impose racial segregation laws which were embraced by white minority government. Under the legislation of President F.W de Klerk in 1990, Apartheid was repealed for a new constitution to arise. This new constitution was adopted in 1993, and granted voting rights to all other racial groups. In 1994, and election with the votes of all races was held, and Nelson Mandela of the African National Congress party was the new South African President. -
International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague, prosecutes individuals for war crimes, genocide, and crimes of aggression. It steps in when national courts are unable or unwilling to act. The ICC has no police force and depends on member states to carry out arrests. 124 countries have joined, but some, like the U.S. and Russia, are not members. Notable cases include arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though enforcement is extremely hard. -
UN Human Rights Council Established
In March of 2006, the United Nation's General Assembly established that they would great a Human Rights Council, which has become the main intergovernmental body within the UN organization. Based in the organizations Palais des Nations office in Geneva, this council consists of 47 member states, that work to promote 'universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all'. The council holds three regular sessions a year, for a total of 10 weeks and 754 seats. -
Covenant on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
This United Nations human rights treaty was adopted in Dec. 2006, and opened for signature in Mar. 2007. With 164 signatories today, this treaty holds the title of having the highest number of signatories in history to a UN Convention on its opening day. After decades of efforts to shift attitudes towards persons with disabilities, the CRPD was created to shift society from viewing them as 'objects' to 'subjects' with rights, that capable of making decisions based on free and informed consent. -
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
This UN declaration the rights of indigenous individuals, as well as groups from all over the world reflects Indigenous worldviews, priorities, and values, not just those of national governments. The declaration highlights indigenous right on land and resources, self governing, and spiritual practices. UNDRIP was shaped directly by Indigenous leaders, activists, and organizations from across the globe who shared their experiences with the UN starting in the 1980s, creating a new global standard. -
Protection Against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
In 2016, the UN established the Mandate of the Independent Expert for Protection Against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (IESOGI). Its mission is to research and raise awareness of the violence and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ individuals globally. The IESOGI provides guidance to Member States on practices to prevent and punish such abuses through law, justice, and public policy. The mandate is ever changing to ensure all are free of discrimination.