Would the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights be adopted by the UN if voted on today?

[pampango]

By the US Congress if presented as a treaty?

PREAMBLE

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

The Universal Declaration was adopted by the General Assembly on 10 December 1948 by a vote of 48 in favor, none against and eight abstentions (the Soviet Union, Ukrainian SSR, Byelorussian SSR, People's Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, People's Republic of Poland, Union of South Africa, Czechoslovakia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).

The Guinness Book of Records describes the UDHR as the world's "Most Translated Document". In its preamble, governments commit themselves and their people to progressive measures which secure the universal and effective recognition and observance of the human rights set out in the Declaration. Eleanor Roosevelt supported the adoption of the UDHR as a declaration rather than as a treaty because she believed that it would have the same kind of influence on global society as the United States Declaration of Independence had within the United States. In this, she proved to be correct. Even though it is not legally binding, the Declaration has been adopted in or has influenced most national constitutions since 1948. It has also served as the foundation for a growing number of national laws, international laws, and treaties, as well as regional, national, and sub-national institutions protecting and promoting human rights.

While not a treaty itself, the Declaration was explicitly adopted for the purpose of defining the meaning of the words "fundamental freedoms" and "human rights" appearing in the United Nations Charter, which is binding on all member states. ... The declaration has served as the foundation for two binding UN human rights covenants: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The principles of the Declaration are elaborated in international treaties such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; the International Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women; the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; the United Nations Convention Against Torture; and many more. The Declaration continues to be widely cited by governments, academics, advocates, and constitutional courts and individuals who appeal to its principles for the protection of their recognised human rights.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights

I voted - No, No. I think it would be vetoed in the Security Council by the US or by Russia/China or all three depending on how they saw it infringing on their sovereignty.

As for Congress, republicans oppose UN treaty on The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Arms Trade Treaty. Republicans are suspicious of the UN and treaties coming from it. I doubt they would support the UN's UDHR if it were proposed today.

There are provisions in it that practically every government could use to decide that it is a dangerous document.

1 vote, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes, Yes. Human rights are too popular for politicians to vote against (not that they would not abide by them)
	0 (0%)
	Yes, No. The world believes in human rights, but not the US Congress (particulary republicans in it)
	0 (0%)
	No, Yes. Some country would veto it in the Security Council or it would be defeated in the General Assembly.
	0 (0%)
	No, No. It would be vetoed in the SC or defeated in the GA. And Congress would not approve it.
	1 (100%)
	A more nuanced answer.
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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