What is the International Bill of Human Rights?
The International Bill of Human Rights is a set of legally binding international rights and freedoms adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. It is made up of three documents: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). The UDHR is the main part of the International Bill of Human Rights and was the first international document to recognize the rights of all people, regardless of race, nationality, gender, religion or language. It outlines a range of civil and political rights, such as the right to life, liberty and security, freedom of thought and speech, freedom of assembly and association, and the right to equal protection under the law. The ICCPR and ICESCR are two separate treaties that build upon the rights outlined in the UDHR by providing more detail and legal protection. The ICCPR focuses on civil and political rights and establishes the right to not be arbitrarily detained and the right to a fair trial. The ICESCR focuses on economic, social and cultural rights and recognizes the right to work, to an adequate standard of living, and to health and education. In California, these rights are protected by the California State Constitution, which guarantees the rights of Californians to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” as well as freedom of speech, press, and religion. California is also a party to the ICCPR and ICESCR, which means that Californians have the right to the freedoms and protections outlined in these treaties.
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