1948　Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The two world wars of the 20th century caused devastation through acts of aggression, genocide, and the violation and suppression on human rights. Reflecting on these two world wars, there was a widespread belief that the guarantee of human rights was indispensable for building world peace and that this was an international issue that concerned all nations. Under these circumstances, “the Universal Declaration of Human Rights” was adopted at the Third Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations held in Paris in December 1948. The UN Charter of 1945 stated “respect for fundamental human rights,” but did not specify the specifics of human rights, which were to be discussed by the UN Human Rights Committee. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted as a result of this process, specifically describes the content of human rights to be protected. The Declaration is also known as the “international bible of human rights” and has influenced national constitutions and regional human rights treaties. In the 1951 Peace Treaty with Japan, Japan also pledged its efforts to achieve the Declaration's objectives. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is not a treaty and therefore has no legally binding force.

The Declaration stipulates “common standards to be achieved” by all nations and citizens: equality before the law; physical safety; freedom of thought, conscience and religion; freedom of expression; freedom of assembly and association; and the right to life.