Timeline by

1948 -Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Allison)

ajp2701_1 — 2024-04-25 19:25:06 UTC

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was established in 1948 by the United Nations. It was the first document to set common guidelines for international human rights law through a series of 30 articles that list fundamental political, social, cultural, and individual rights. The founding of this document was spurred by the mass Nazi genocide of Jews, Gypsies, and other atrocities that occurred in World War II. The UN aimed to hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable while also emphasizing the relationship between human rights and war through this document.

1993- Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights created (Diana)

dh2701_1 — 2024-04-25 19:36:40 UTC

In December 1993, UN established the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, also known as OHCHR. It is an organzation that branched from the UN that focuses on the promotion and protection of human rights.

1976-ICESCR & ICCPR (Kira)

ksn27011 — 2024-04-25 19:44:46 UTC

In 1976 the International Covenant on Economic, Social, Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil, Political rights (ICCPR) were created. Previously in 1966 the UN General Assembly had already accepted both declarations. These two documents became known as the core elements of the “International Bill of Human Rights”.

1939-1945 -World War II (Allison)

ajp2701_1 — 2024-04-25 19:48:00 UTC

World War II was a period in time where countless numbers of human rights violations were committed by many countries, such as the U.S., Germany, and Japan. One glaring example is the treatment of prisoners of war (POWs). Although the Geneva Convention required POWs to be treated with respect and fed properly, treatment of POWs during WWII was so brutal that over 5 million prisoners died before being freed. Some POWs were extremely malnourished and shot to death if they appeared to be “trying to escape”. POWs were also used as a way for warring nations to get back at each other. For example, when 76 Allied officers were able to escape Germany’s grasps, Hitler ordered that all of the prisoners in that area should be executed as punishment. Additionally, when an Allied bomb killed 100,000 Germans, one of Hitler’s officers suggested that an equal amount of Allied POWs should be executed.

1945- United nations is created (Diana)

dh2701_1 — 2024-04-25 19:53:47 UTC

The UN is created ‘to affirm the dignity and worth of every human person’. It was founded after WW2 to prevent other conflicts, replacing the League of Nations. It is currently made up of 193 memeber states.

2011- Declaration on human rights education (Diana)

dh2701_1 — 2024-04-25 19:55:04 UTC

The United Nation adopts the Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training. It goes over the right for everyone to have education, and that education should be free in at least the elementary and fundamental stages.

2007- The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Diana)

dh2701_1 — 2024-04-25 19:56:30 UTC

This declaration was adopted by the United Nations, in order to protect the rights of indigenous peoples. The declaration talks about the Indigenous peoples right to maintain their distinct political, social and cultural institutions, while also retaining their rights to participate fully in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State. Australian Government announced its support for the Declaration in 2009

1989-The Convention on the Rights of the Child is adopted by OHCHR (Diana)

dh2701_1 — 2024-04-25 19:58:18 UTC

54 Articles regarding child rights are established and signed by OHCHR. The CRC talks about how governments are required to meet childrens’s basic needs and help them reach their potential. The human rights of children are protected by the UN.

2020- Secretary-General António Guterres launched a Call to Action for Human Rights. (Christian)

ccc2701_2 — 2024-04-25 20:04:55 UTC

Focusing on seven thematic areas, the Call to Action recognises human rights as central to our most pressing issues: the urgent achievement of sustainable development; the protection of all people regardless of their circumstances; tackling gender inequality once and for all; ensuring robust civic space for everybody; creating a healthy environment for future generations; ensuring a safe digital world; and finally – all pitching in together to make this a reality.

1955 (December 1st) Rosa Parks

ksn27011 — 2024-04-25 20:05:23 UTC

Rosa Parks was on a crowder bus to Montgomery and the bus driver had noticed there were many white passengers that stood in the aisles and had asked Rosa and a few other black passengers to surrender their seats. Rosa refused to get up and was fined $10 for her offense then an additional $4 for court costs. She then continued to refuse these payments and instead accepted Montgomery NAACP chapter president E.D Nixon’s offer to help her get rid of the convictions while also challenging legal segregations.

2006-Human rights council replaces the 60-year-old UN commission on human rights (Cameron)

2024-04-25 20:06:29 UTC

The Human Rights Council, established by the General Assembly on March 15, 2006 and directly subordinate to it, replaced the 60-year-old UN Commission on Human Rights as the main UN intergovernmental body responsible for human rights. The Council consists of representatives from 47 countries and its mission is to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide by addressing and making recommendations on situations of human rights violations, including responding to human rights situations

2022-PRESENT -Russia’s full scale invasion on Ukraine (Allison)

ajp2701_1 — 2024-04-25 20:08:32 UTC

Although the Russo-Ukrainian war started in 2014, it was only until just two years ago in 2022 that Russian attacks started to concern human rights. Since February 24, 2022, Russian forces have committed war crimes such as torture, summary executions, sexual violence, and disproportionate bombings of civilians. For example, on June 27, 2022, Russia killed 18 civilians and wounded many others through their missile attack on a busy shopping center in central Ukraine.

1986- Human Right Commission is Enacted in Australia(Cameron)

2024-04-26 20:55:33 UTC

The Australian Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory body that protects and promotes human rights in Australia. The ARHC is Australia’s National Human Rights Institution and is a member of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions. They are eligible for full membership of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions including the right to vote and hold government positions. (Cameron)

1965- The convention on the elimination of all forms of Radical Discrimination (Cameron)

2024-04-26 21:14:59 UTC

The goal of eradicating global racial discrimination is one tailored toward U.S. involvement. The United States signed ICERD in 1966, but did not ratify it for nearly three decades—until October 21, 1994. A 1994 Senate report spoke of the United States using its position to lead the world in bringing an end to racial discrimination. But 25 years of evidence shows little appreciable U.S. effort to use its position to end racial and ethnic discrimination globally or domestically.(Cameron)

2024- UN Women statement for the International Girls in ICT (Christian)

ccc2701_2 — 2024-04-26 21:35:34 UTC

UN Women joins young women and girls globally who are putting a spotlight on leadership in the digital world. Girls’ leadership in Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is now more crucial than ever.

1951- Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (Christian)

ccc2701_2 — 2024-04-26 21:39:56 UTC

The Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees ('The Refugee Convention') is adopted and opened for signature. It defines who a refugee is and what the rights and legal obligations of states are in relation to them.

1966- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Christian)

ccc2701_2 — 2024-04-26 21:43:29 UTC

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) are adopted and opened for signature.

1979- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Christian)

ccc2701_2 — 2024-04-26 21:46:10 UTC

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is adopted and opened for signature. It is introduced to prevent discrimination against, and to promote the rights of, women.

1984 -The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment is adopted by the OHCHR (Allison)

ajp2701_1 — 2024-04-26 22:01:26 UTC

This document consists of 33 articles that aim to prevent torture and inhuman punishment throughout the world, reocgnizing that safety from degrading treatment is a fundamental human right. The term “torture” refers to any act that purposefully conflicts severe physical or mental pain upon an individual that is being questioned for information or a confession.

2004- Age discrimination comes into act in Australia(Cameron)

2024-04-26 22:04:05 UTC

The Age Discrimination Act 2004 safeguards individuals from age-based discrimination across various domains such as employment, education, accommodation, and access to goods and services.The role of the Age Discrimination Commissioner is to assist both individuals and organizations in understanding their rights and fulfilling their legal obligations. This includes conducting research, providing policy advice, and promoting education initiatives aimed at dismantling barriers to equality and participation for older Australians and younger generations.The Acting Age Discrimination Commissioner, President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, is currently upholding the priorities set by former Age Discrimination Commissioner Dr. Kay Patterson AO. These priorities encompass addressing issues related to older workers, combating elder abuse, and supporting older women who are at risk of homelessness.(Cameron)

1864 -Original Geneva Conventions are adopted (Allison)

ajp2701_1 — 2024-04-26 22:08:43 UTC

The Geneva Conventions, founded by Henri Dunant, were a series of international treaties that aimed to protect medical services and volunteers during armed conflicts. Specifically, these conventions provided the immunity from capture to all wounded and sick soldiers, the impartial treatment of all soldiers, the protection of civilians aiding soldiers, and the protection of Red Cross members. These conventions were amended in 1906 and again in 1929 to improve the treatment of prisoners of war.