Definition
Soon after the experience of WWII, in 1949, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights . It does not have the force of international law, but it sets forth international norms regarding behavior by governments toward their own citizens and foreigners alike. The declaration root itself in the principle that violations of human rights upset international order and in the fact that the UN Charter commits states to respect fundamental freedoms. The declaration proclaims that "all human beings are born free and equal" without regard to race, sex, language, religion, political affiliation, or the status of the territory on which they were born. It goes on to promote norms in a wide variety of areas, from banning torture to guaranteeing religious and political freedom to the right of economic well-being.
Universal Declaration on Human Rights (Text document in its entirety)