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In the 20th century, secular concepts of human rights proliferated: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the American Convention on Human Rights; the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights; the European Convention of Human Rights; various UN conferences' declarations on the environment, economic development, AIDS, and other topics; and the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols.  

In the 20th century, secular concepts of human rights proliferated: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the American Convention on Human Rights; the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights; the European Convention of Human Rights; various UN conferences' declarations on the environment, economic development, AIDS, and other topics; and the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols.  

The most well-known example of human rights is the United Nations 1948 '''[[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]]''' or '''UDHR'''. This document contains thirty articles listing about fifty rights authored and approved by the UN under the leadership of [[Eleanor Roosevelt]], among others. At the time the UN Declaration was ratified by its members, it was hailed by Americans as a major advancement in the cause of liberty.  

 

In 1948, the [[United Nations]] issued the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]], '''UDHR,''' a list of human rights they deem inherent and inviolable.<ref>http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html</ref> This document contains thirty articles listing about fifty rights. It was developed by the Canadian and French delegations, with input from the American delegate [[Eleanor Roosevelt]]. At the time the UN Declaration was ratified by its members, it was hailed by Americans as a major advancement in the cause of liberty.  

The Universal Declaration provides:

The Universal Declaration provides:

Deeply influenced by the UN's 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Indian constitution provides for a host of rights, including the right of equality, cultural and religious freedoms, and the right to education. Discrimination based on race, caste, gender, birthplace, and religion was subsequently outlawed. Yet, political and social realities have intruded. Because of India's multiplicity of religious and ethnic groups, each with their own traditions and beliefs, and the complex interplay between these groups, the principles contained in the constitution have not always been followed in practice.

Deeply influenced by the UN's 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Indian constitution provides for a host of rights, including the right of equality, cultural and religious freedoms, and the right to education. Discrimination based on race, caste, gender, birthplace, and religion was subsequently outlawed. Yet, political and social realities have intruded. Because of India's multiplicity of religious and ethnic groups, each with their own traditions and beliefs, and the complex interplay between these groups, the principles contained in the constitution have not always been followed in practice.

===Helsinki Accords===

===Helsinki Accords===

The European Convention of Human Rights, implemented in 1953, led later to the 1975 Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe ('''[[Helsinki Accords]]'''). This document guaranteed the postwar borders of European states, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for human rights. It regulated the principles of economic, scientific, and technological cooperation and provided for the exchange of printed, film, and televised information.   

The European Convention of Human Rights, implemented in 1953, led later to the 1975 Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe ('''[[Helsinki Accords]]'''). This document guaranteed the postwar borders of European states, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for human rights. It regulated the principles of economic, scientific, and technological cooperation and provided for the exchange of printed, film, and televised information.   

The Helsinki Accords were used by human rights activists and the Reagan Administration to pressure the Soviet Union to relax some of its totalitarianism, and to allow the escape of Soviet Jews.  [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] finally unleashed "glasnost" and "perestroika" that energized human rights activists and led to the collapse of Communism in Europe, 1989-91.

The Helsinki Accords were used by human rights activists and the Reagan Administration to pressure the Soviet Union to relax some of its totalitarianism, and to allow the escape of Soviet Jews.  [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] finally unleashed "glasnost" and "perestroika" that energized human rights activists and led to the collapse of Communism in Europe, 1989-91.

==State Department==

==State Department==

Because the promotion of human rights is an important national interest, the United States seeks to:<ref> See [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/hr/ State Department website]</ref>  

Because the promotion of human rights is an important national interest, the United States seeks to:<ref> See [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/hr/ State Department website]</ref>