What role did Eleanor Roosevelt play in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

human rights The philosopher John Locke, oil on canvas by Herman Verelst, 1689; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Eleanor Roosevelt played a pivotal role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). She chaired the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, which was responsible for its creation. Roosevelt utilized her significant influence to guide the drafting process, helping to steer it toward a successful conclusion amidst rising Cold War tensions. Her efforts were crucial in forging compromises and ensuring the document's adoption as a foundational text for international human rights law. She referred to the UDHR as humanity's Magna Carta.1