International Bill of Human Rights

International Bill of Human Rights defines and establishes the human rights that everyone is entitled to, regardless of culture, religion, gender or economic status (Joyfield and Roche, 1997). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948 and later re-affirmed in 1993, along with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights make up the International Bill of Rights.

Over 160 countries have ratified one or both of these Covenants, so they are considered legally binding by most of the world. Other important treaties relating to international law include the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention Eliminating All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and the Convention against Racial Discrimination, which have all have been ratified by most of the world.

Initiated as "a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations," the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has become a measuring tool for international human rights standards (Office for the High Commission of Human Rights, 1996).

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed by the General Assembly in 1948, describes the basic rights and freedoms to which all women and men are entitled (UN in Brief, 2004). These rights include the right to life, liberty and nationality; to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; the right to work and to be educated; the right to food and housing; and the right to participate in government.

These rights are legally binding by virtue of two International Covenants, to which most States adhere (UN in Brief, 2004). One Covenant deals with economic, social and cultural rights and the other with civil and political rights. Together with the Declaration, they constitute the International Bill of Human Rights.

The preambles and articles 1, 3 and 5 of the two International Covenants are similar in many ways. According to the Office for the High Commission of Human Rights (1996): "The preambles recall the obligation of States under the Charter of the United Nations to promote human rights; remind the individual of his responsibility to strive for the promotion and observance of those rights; and recognize that, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ideal of free human beings enjoying civil and political freedom and freedom from fear and want can be achieved only if conditions are created whereby everyone may enjoy his civil and political rights, as well as his economic, social and cultural rights."

Articles 6 to 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recognize the rights of people to work under decent conditions, join and form trade unions, collect social security, and enjoy a decent standard of living (Office for the High Commission of Human Rights, 1996). International laws also aim to provide protection and assistance for the family, especially mothers, children and young people.