Human Rights — Article Twenty-Two

Credit Klemdy – CC-BY-SA

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

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 22.

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

This one is somewhat more abstract than most of the preceding ones. It mentions ‘social security’ and ‘realization of economic, social and cultural rights.’ Social security probably means that all members of society are entitled to economic and social stability. A place where they can grow and live without want or fear. The realization part says people have a right to live with dignity, and with the possibility of fulfilling their potential.

Everyone should be able to be safe and to be their best possible self, and this should be achieved ‘through national effort and international co-operation.’

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