Why was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights created?

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

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was created in response to the atrocities committed during World War II. The systematic human rights abuses by the Nazi regime highlighted the need for an international human rights instrument. The drafters sought to establish a common standard of achievement for all peoples and nations, emphasizing the inherent dignity of every human being and the principle of nondiscrimination. The UDHR was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, and is now celebrated annually as Human Rights Day.12