A Brill Calendar: December 10

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Few documents have continued to influence public affairs on the planet so tenaciously as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This was adopted on December 10, 1948 by its General Assembly in Paris and was filed in the now vast library generated by the United Nations since the founding of that international organization with a Charter - coming into force October 24, 1945.

A draft prepared the preceding summer by a special commission didn’t necessitate or invite important adjustments. The vote was unanimous; with the Soviet Bloc, South-Africa and Saudi Arabia abstaining. Its 12th Lustrum was celebrated world-wide with due pomp & circumstance and with lofty words & grave statements of intent.

On festive occasions like this, it is seldom that the proto-history of the crucial event gets proper attention in news media. Of course the declaration can be seen as a new political instrument regarding interaction between nations; but it may be seen as well as the consummation of a rather contingent philosophical, spiritual and legal chain of actions & reactions, as they mirror reflection and assessment in earlier ages.

There can be no doubt that a 17th century philosopher like John Locke would recognize elements of his world-view, (then controversial), in the Declaration; as well as a predecessor of his - the lawyer Grotius would; not to mention a successor such as the revolutionary Thomas Paine. The legacy of the European intellectual tradition, as it gained voice and authority embedded in modern universities after the Middle Ages, is present in the Great Document in much the same way as Hamlet’s father is present in Shakespeare’s play: centrally positioned in what happens, regardless of his ephemeral presence on the stage while the drama develops.