Wednesday, January 16, 2019

What is the difference between the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Declaration of Independence?

The fundamental difference between the Universal Declaration of Rights and the Declaration of Independence is that one is a piece of international law, and one is a piece of domestic law. Each resolution, additionally, deals with separate topics.
The Universal Declaration of Rights is a bill of rights that is a component of international law. It sets out certain inalienable rights which all governments are required to uphold and protect.
The Declaration of Independence is a legislative resolution that is a component of U.S. domestic law. It, first, establishes the existence of a polity called the United States of America and, secondly, affirms the severance of any political connection between the United States and Great Britain.
The Universal Declaration of Rights was ratified in 1948 in Paris by the United Nations General Assembly. The Declaration of Independence was ratified in 1776 in Philadelphia by the Second Continental Congress.


The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948. Its purpose is to set a universal standard regarding an individual’s rights, in light of the atrocities committed during World War II. It is not legally binding, however, it is often cited by governments and constitutional courts to exert pressure on any constitutional bodies that violate any of the articles.

On the other hand, the Declaration of Independence isn’t a document to be applied universally. It’s pertinent to the United States of America, when the then Thirteen Colonies at war with the Kingdom of the Great Britain declared independence and no longer under the British rule. It was the first step towards the formation of the United States of America.


The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. This document addresses the fundamental human rights everyone should receive across the world no matter his or her cultural background or country of origin. The document includes thirty articles and ensures such freedoms as the right to be free from slavery, the right to equal protection under the law, the right to own property, the right of religious freedom, and the right to some form of education, among others.
In contrast, The Declaration of Independence applies specifically to the United States citizens and their separation from Great Britain. This document was signed in 1776. Similar to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Declaration of Independence also ensured freedoms such as all men are created equal and that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

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