Universal Human Rights: The Commission on Human Rights

Children from the United Nations International Nursery School look at a poster of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (1950) UN Photo

graphic image of all the articles in the Universal Human Rights Charter

Built on the Achievement of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

photo of Humberto Calamari

Humberto Calamari of Panama, Vice-Chairman of the UN General Assembly's Third Committee, presiding, in 1958, over a meeting on the draft International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - which built on the achievement of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, using it as its foundation.   - UN Photo

The Drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Eleanor Roosevelt - United States

The widow of the American President Franklin D. Roosevelt, she was the first lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. Eleanor Roosevelt was appointed as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly by President Harry S. Truman.  

Dr. Charles Malik - Lebanon

A Lebanese diplomat, academic, philosopher, and theologian.  

 

 

Rene Cassin - France

A jurist, humanitarian, and internationalist.

He was awarded The Nobel Peace Prize in 1968.

 

Dr. Peng-chun Chang of China Dr. Peng-chun Chang - China

He was a teacher, scholar, university chancellor, playwright, diplomat, and politician.  

 

Alexandre Bogomolov of USSRAlexandre Bogomolov - USSR

A Soviet diplomat who was an ambassador in various European countries.  

 

Charles Dukes of the United KingdomCharles Dukes - United Kingdom

A British trade unionist and Labour Party politician.  

 

 

 

Hernan Santa Cruz of ChileHernan Santa Cruz - Chile

He was a Chilean delegate to the United Nations, a judge, and a lawyer.  

 

 

William Hodgson of AustraliaWilliam Hodgson - Australia

He was a soldier, diplomat, and intelligence officer.  

 

 

 

John P. Humphrey of CanadaJohn P. Humphrey - Canada

He was a Canadian legal scholar, jurist, and human rights advocate.  

 

Women who shaped the Universal Declaration with the inclusion of women's rights.

Hansa Mehta of IndiaHansa Mehta India

Mehta was a reformer, educator, and prolific writer.

She became vice-chancellor of Baroda University, the first time in India, that a woman headed a university not confined to women.   

Minerva Bernardino of Dominican RepublicMinerva Bernardino Dominican Republic

A feminist and public servant.  She was one of only four women signers of the UN Charter.   

Begum Shaista Ikramullah of PakistanBegum Shaista Ikramullah Pakistan

She was the first Muslim woman to earn a Ph.D. from the University of London.   

 

Bodil Begtrup of DenmarkBodil Begtrup Denmark

In 1939 she became Denmark's first female film censor.   

 

Marie-Helene Lefaucheux of FranceMarie-Helene Lefaucheux France

She was active in the Resistance, serving as vice president of the Paris Committee of Liberation and conducting welfare work among prisoners and deportees.   

Evdokia Uralova of ByelorussiaEvdokia Uralova Byelorussia

She strongly argued for equal pay for women be included in the final document.   

 

Lakshmi Menon of IndiaLakshmi Menon India

An Indian freedom fighter and politician.   

 

 

 

Bertha Lutz of BrazilBertha Lutz Brazil

She was a Brazilian zoologist, politician, diplomat, and activist who was instrumental in gaining women's rights in Brazil.   

Jessie Street of AustraliaJessie Street Australia

She was an activist, a feminist, a lifelong campaigner for women's rights, and the elimination of discrimination against Aboriginal people.   

Amalia C de Castillo Ledon of MexicoAmalia C. de Castillo Ledon Mexico

She was a diplomat, cabinet minister, minister plenipotentiary, writer, and the first female member of a presidential cabinet  

Isabel Sanchez de Urdaneta OF VENEZUELAIsabel Sanchez de Urdaneta Venezuela

She was a Venezuelan stateswoman and feminist. She was a teach and founder of kindergartens in her home country.  

Isabel de Vidal of UruguayIsabel de Vidal Uruguay

Uruguayan feminist lawyer, politician, and one of the first senators in Uruguayan history.