The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 is the founding text recognizing the rights inherent in every human person. These fundamental rights are defined as inalienable (no one can be deprived of them), indivisible (they are linked and of equal importance) and universal (they apply to all human beings).

This text sets out all civil and political rights, the most important of which are as follows:

• The right to life
• Freedom of opinion, expression, assembly and demonstration, thought and religion
• Prohibition of discrimination, torture and slavery

It also affirms all economic, social and cultural rights, such as:

• The right to education and work
• The right to health and social security
• Protection of the family and children

Indeed, the rights of the child flow from this Declaration.
 

The Convention's text in PDF format