Human Rights — Article Sixteen

Ernest Board – CC0

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 (General Assembly resolution 217 A) as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into over 500 languages.

Article 16.

(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Marriage and family. Since the family is the fundamental unit of society, it must be protected. Since marriage is the strongest bond two people can form, it must be able to be entered into freely and consensually by both parties. Both parties must have equal rights in all aspects and stages of marriage. These rights must not be abrogated due to race, nationality or religion. I believe if they were writing this article today, they would include other factors like sexual orientation.

rjb