Sara Alavi: World History CPS Universal Human Rights

UN Commission on Human Rights Was Established

Dec 10, 1946

http://worldnews.about.com/od/theunitednations/p/humanrightscouncil.htm
This was the UN's original international framework concerned with the improvement and protection of universal human rights. The UNCHR wished to promote freedom and human rights in three progressing statements:
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948
• The Convention Against Genocide 1948
• The Geneva Conventions 1949

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

Dec 11, 1946

http://www.unicef.org/
TAP Project Campaign Video 2012 http://www.youtube.com/user/UNICEFUSA?ob=0&feature=results_main
In response to the children deprived of shelter and in need of necessities of life after WorldWar II, UNICEF was created. Curretly, UNICEF has saved more young lives than any other humaitarian organization in the world. It provides children in over 150 countries with sanitary water, nutritional aid, HIV/AIDS prevention, child protection, and education.

United Nations Peacekeeping

May 29, 1948

http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/
There are roughly 16 UN Peacekeeping operations occuring on four continents. UN Peacekeeping was formed to allow places of conflict to be driven towards peace by building relationships organized towards peace initiatives. May 29th is the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

Convention Against Genocide

Dec 9, 1948

http://www.hrweb.org/legal/genocide.html
The Convention Against Genocide was immediately agreed upon by the General Assembly in wishing to rule out atrocities as seen from Hitler in World War II. It was agreed that the following acts should be made punishable worldwide: Genocide; Conspiracy to commit genocide; Direct and public incitement to commit genocide; Attempt to commit genocide; Complicity in genocide.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

Dec 10, 1948

This is an amazingly aristic video, Love it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvL_6fXECP4 http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/
The UDHR wished to establish human rights laws to all nations worldwide in granting individual rights and freedoms. This was the foundation for promoting freedom, justice, and peace throughout the world. No matter what religion, race, ethnicity, or walk of life- all shall enjoy freedoms of life!

Geneva Conventions (First Convention Listed)

Aug 12, 1949

http://www.icrc.org/eng/war-and-law/treaties-customary-law/geneva-conventions/index.jsp
The conventions sought to declare to civilize war in respect of prisoners and enemy combatants. The Geneva Conventions of 1949 wished to limit conflict worldwide and create incentives of peace for humanity.

UN Refugee Agency Created (UNHCR)

Dec 14, 1950

http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home
The UNHCR emerged in World war II to help Europeans displaced by the conflict of war. The, by 1956, the UNHCR was facing its first major emergency, giving aid to refugees when Soviet forces crushed the Hungarian Revolution. Later in the 1960s, the UNHCR was positioned in Africa as a result of decolonization, producing a significant amount of refugees.

Vietnam War (First day of war mentioned)

Nov 1, 1955

http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war
Atrocities in the Vietnam War such as the My Lai massacre and the dropping of Agent Orange against the people, elderly, innocent, and young of Vietnam once again showed the ill-aimed ambitions of the US and their inhumane practices that proceeded without intervention from the UN.

Building of the Berlin Wall (First building date mentioned)

Aug 13, 1961

http://history1900s.about.com/od/coldwa1/a/berlinwall.htm
The building of the Berlin Wall in 1961 by the USSR served as the necessary symbol of the Soviet’s commitment and enthusiasm to end individuals’ freedoms and human equality. Unfortunately, this did not serve the interests of human rights worldwide. It only created a barrier of hostility.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Dec 16, 1966

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/ccpr.htm
International Human Rights Treaty. Article 1 (2 of 3 parts)
1. All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
2. All peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international economic co-operation, based upon the principle

Internaional Covenant on Economc, Social, and Cultural Rights

Dec 16, 1966

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cescr.htm From Article 1:
"All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development."

Declaration of the Rights of a Child

Nov 20, 1989

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/crc.htm
Declaration of the Rights of a Child was adopted by the UN General Assembly on November 20, 1989 (also known as Universal Children's Day). It became international law on September 2, 1990. It values rights and protections to the children of the world.