When did human rights law develop?
The development of human rights law dates back to the late 18th century. This was a time when many countries declared their right to self-determination, and declared their own laws and standards of justice. During the era of Enlightenment, social reformers, intellectuals, and philosophers were writing about the inalienable rights of citizens, which would form the basis for many of the modern human rights laws we have today. In 1948, the United Nations approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which defined basic human rights and called for the protection of those rights. This document formed the basis for many international human rights regulations and laws. Following the adoption of the Universal Declaration, the UN approved many treaties to further codify human rights, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948). In New Mexico, certain human rights laws were adopted in 1967, by the New Mexico Human Rights Commission, to ensure that all citizens of the state are treated equitably and are protected from discrimination. These laws provide protection against discrimination based on race, religion, sex, age, disability, and other protected characteristics. The laws prohibit employers, educational institutions, housing providers, and public accommodations from discriminating against those with these protected traits.
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