The Universal Declaration of Human Rights  proclaims individual rights, civil and political rights, and freedoms (equality before the law, the right of everyone to liberty and security of person, freedom of conscience, and others). It was adopted on December 10, 1948, by the UN General Assembly. Two years later, this day was proclaimed Human Rights Day.

     The Declaration became the first universal human rights document. Many countries have incorporated its key provisions into their basic legislation and constitutions. Its principles form the foundation of many human rights covenants, conventions, and treaties concluded since 1948.

     The Declaration has only the status of a recommendation, but two binding treaties were adopted on its basis: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights . Many of the Declaration’s provisions have acquired the status of customary law over the course of many years of practice; in some countries, the Declaration is partially recognized. This document has been translated into many languages ​​(more than 350 as of 2009). Eleanor Roosevelt called the Declaration the “Magna Carta” for all humanity (hence the Declaration is sometimes called the Charter of Human Rights).

     The most comprehensive binding human rights treaties concluded under the auspices of the UN are the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, signed on 16 December 1966.

     The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights monitors compliance with adopted covenants, conventions, and treaties. The High Commissioner sends inspectors to various countries around the world, who compile reports on human rights compliance on the ground. If rights are not respected, tribunals intervene.

     There are about 40 officially registered human rights organizations in Russia.