The People Behind the Principles
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Many people contributed to the drafting and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including delegates to the UN’s Commission on Human Rights, members of non-governmental organizations and private citizens throughout the world who contributed both their thought and support. Yet several people deserve special recognition because of the direct contributions that they each brought to the process as individuals.

As Chairperson of the UN’s Commission on Human Rights, Eleanor Roosevelt regarded her work on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to be the greatest achievement of her life. She was without doubt, the Commissions most prominent member. Her enthusiasm for her work at the United Nations was rooted in her humanitarian convictions and her enduring faith in human dignity and worth.

Rene Cassin of France composed the first full draft of the Universal Declaration. This early draft would contain most of the rights and much of the language that would later be set forth in the final document. As Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, Charles Malik of Lebanon played a vital role in shaping the Universal Declaration, and was a driving force behind the document’s arrangement and adoption. Dr. P.C. Chang of China effectively represented the Asian perspective in the senior ranks of the Commission on Human Rights, where he served as Vice-Chairman. And John Humphrey, Director of the UN’s Human Rights Division, prepared a four hundred-page blueprint for the Universal Declaration, which was consulted by the Drafting Committee during the UDHR’s formation.

National Coordinating Committee for UDHR50.
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Revised: April 12, 1998.