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It is important for human beings to have a better understanding of human rights.

There have also been many declarations of human rights around the world, including the Virginia Bill of Rights.

In this article, the main human rights declarations and their details is summarized.

This article also answers to some questions on the declarations of human rights. After you get familiar with the declaration of human rights, if you have any questions, try looking at the relevant section.

Main Declarations of Human Rights

There have been many declarations of human rights in the world, including the Virginia Bill of Rights in 1776.

Among them, this article would like to focus on the following five that are particularly important.

• Virginia Bill of Rights
• Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
• Declaration of the Rights of the Man and of the Citizen of 1793
• Declaration of Rights and Duties of Man and Citizen, Constitution of the Year III (1795)
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Virginia Bill of Rights

The Virginia Bill of Rights is the first declaration of the natural rights that humans are born with.

It consists of 16 articles.

The contents refer to government and what is governed.

The Virginia Bill of Rights includes proposals for decentralization of power and restrictions on power.

Noted is its Article 1 which goes like:

That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
Source：”The Virginia Declaration of Rights｜National Archives”

In addition, the declaration in regards to the state at liberty is described in Article

That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love and charity towards each other.
Source：”The Virginia Declaration of Rights｜National Archives”

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen is a declaration of human rights based on the fundamental principles of the French Revolution.

It was adopted by the National Assembly in 1789.

It mentions rights such as liberty and equality, popular sovereignty, freedom of speech, separation of three powers, and property rights.

These rights are also common in today’s society and are said to define the modern view of human rights.

In addition, Article 1 is characterized by its description of freedom and equality.

Men are born, and always continue, free and equal in respect of their rights. Civil distinctions, therefore, can be founded only on public utility.

Source：”Déclaration des Droits de l’Homme et du Citoyen de 1789｜République Française. Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.”

Declaration of the Rights of the Man and of the Citizen of 1793

The Declaration of the Rights of the Man and of the Citizen of 1793 is based on the Declaration of the Rights of the Man and of the Citizen.

In the Declaration of the Rights of the Man and of the Citizen of 1793, there are many references to equality.

It is also said that the Declaration of the Rights of the Man and of the Citizen of 1793 became the draft of the 1793 Constitution, the democratic constitution of France.

Declaration of Rights and Duties of Man and Citizen, Constitution of the Year III (1795)

The Declaration of Rights and Duties of Man and Citizen, Constitution of the Year III (1795) follows the Declaration of the Rights of the Man and of the Citizen of 1793.

On the other hand, it differs from Declaration of the Rights of the Man and of the Citizen of 1793 in political and social rights.

In the Declaration of Rights and Duties of Man and Citizen, Constitution of the Year III (1795), there is no mention of religious freedom or defense of opinion.

There is also a code of conduct for people, and Article 4 includes the following:

No one is a good citizen unless he is a good son, good father, good brother, good friend, good husband.
Source：”Constitution du 5 Fructidor An III｜CONSEIL CONSTITUTIONNEL”

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations in 1948.

It contains description on basic human rights.

However, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is only a declaration and has no legally binding force.

Therefore, it is up to the individual or the state to decide whether or not to abide by it.

What are International Covenants on Human Rights?

International Covenants on Human Rights are human rights covenants that consist of two types of covenants: International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The International Covenants on Human Rights were created based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Another difference between the International Covenants on Human Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is their legally binding nature.

The International Covenants on Human Rights are legally binding in the countries that ratify them.

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights refers to economic, social and cultural rights, part of the International Covenants on Human Rights.

It is often referred to as Covenant A.

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights describes not only the rights of the individual, but also the rights of groups of individuals within a society.

Article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights states the following:

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. 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 of mutual benefit, and international law. In no case may a people be deprived of its own means of subsistence.

Source：”International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights｜OHCHR”

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights refers to civil and political rights.

In the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratifying countries have an immediate obligation.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights also states the prohibition of discrimination against individuals.

Article 2 states the following:

Each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to respect and to ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recognized in the present Covenant, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Source：”International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights｜OHCHR”

It is notable that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights includes descriptions of the following items:

• Protection of privacy, honor, and trust
• Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
• Freedom of assembly
• Regular elections, equal voting rights, secret ballots
• Equality under the law

Source：”International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights｜OHCHR”

Impact of Declarations of Human Rights

The impact of the French declarations of human rights

Of all the human rights declarations, the French declarations of human rights have had the greatest impact.

The fundamental principles of the revolution were outlined in the French declarations of human rights.

Also notable is that it includes the description of the individual.

The French declarations of human rights later had a great influence on the American Declaration of Independence.

In this context, the French declarations of human rights had a significant impact on the formation of modern nations.

Source：”AND CIVIC RIGHTS AND CIVIC RIGHTS｜Conseil constitutionnel”

Impact of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the world’s common understanding of human rights.

Therefore, it can be said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has had a significant impact on people’s awareness of human rights.

In particular, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights includes a statement on discrimination in Article 2.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the first one to explicitly address discrimination, and in this respect, it has had a significant impact.

Source: “Universal Declaration of Human Rights｜United Nations”

Questions and Answers about Declarations of Human Rights

Are declarations of human rights legally binding?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is not legally binding.

However, the International Covenants on Human Rights are legally binding.

Source：”Universal Declaration of Human Rights｜United Nations”

What is Human Rights Day

The United Nations has designated the day of adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as Human Rights Day.

Human Rights Day is on December 10.

Member countries hold events to promote understanding of human rights in conjunction with Human Rights Day.

Source：”Human Rights Day｜the United Nations”

It is necessary to affirm the Declaration of Human Rights

Understanding the Declaration of Human Rights is the most important part of raising awareness about human rights.

Therefore, it is important to review the Declaration of Human Rights.

It is also important to gain a more in-depth understanding of human rights.