1. – December 10, 1948: Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN

Dear brothers and sisters:

On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document destined to become a point of reference for all humanity.

This magna carta of human rights was born as a response to the dramatic need, felt by all nations, for an international basic code of rights, in view of the increase of barbarity experienced in the preceding decades. The violation of the most fundamental human rights due, above all, to the arbitrariness of the State, had reached in this century an unusual level of cruelty and violence, resulting in the outbreak of two World Wars. Thanks to the Declaration, the defense of fundamental rights and freedoms will be an international responsibility, and not subject to the will of the individual rulers.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights signifies an awareness on the part of all humanity of the dignity of individual persons and of all peoples. It is an important step of extraordinary symbolic value in the process of humanization that should lead society toward a more just organization, one in which each person and all people can find their place and their personal and collective rights will be respected. This constitutes, therefore, an important premise for the establishment of a more just universal order.

Several years after its promulgation, Pope John XXIII, reflecting on the rich doctrinal heritage of the Church, will elaborate in 1963 a splendid human rights declaration, enlightened by Revelation, in the great Encyclical Pacem in terris.

Pope John XXIII welcomed the Declaration we now commemorate as well as the importance of the United Nations in the promotion of peace and justice in the world by stating:

"A clear proof of the farsightedness of this organization is provided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights passed by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. The preamble of this Declaration affirms that the genuine recognition and complete observance of all the rights and freedoms outlined in the declaration is a goal to be sought by all peoples and all nations" (n.143).

Pope John Paul II has also referred to this Declaration in his most recent message to the world on the occasion of World Peace Day (January 1, 1998):

"Fifty years ago, after a war characterized by the denial of even the right to exist of certain peoples, the General Assembly of the United Nations promulgated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was a solemn act which was achieved, after the sad experience of war, due to the desire to recognize in a formal way the same rights for all persons and for all peoples" (n. 2).