How have human rights influenced international developments in the last 50 years?
For the first time in history, there exists a universal code of human rights, one to which all nations can subscribe and to which all people can aspire. Since 1945, non-governmental organizations have contributed immensely to the work of the United Nations and human rights. Growing international awareness, fostered by mass communications, has heightened the sense of urgency for respect of human rights. In 2002, an international criminal court was established to prosecute and punish persons responsible for crimes against humanity. Lara Iglitzen, Executive Director Henry M. Jackson Foundation The general framework within which human rights activities are pursued worldwide and human rights law is developed is based on an overlapping network of international treaties and agreements. These include the UN Charter and the 1948 UN International Bill of Human Rights containing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1976) and the Inte
