Today, human rights are universal in the sense that the General Assembly of the United Nations has adopted international declarations about human rights, such as the 1948 Universal Declaration. Many countries have acceded to this Declaration and to other binding human rights instruments. Several regions of the world have also adopted their own human rights instruments. The Council of Europe has adopted the European Convention on Human Rights, North and South America have one for the American continent, African countries have the 1986 African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and draft Asian and Arab charters exist as well.
Globally
The United Nations
The UN was established in 1945 in order to uphold peace and safety through the development of human rights among other measures.
National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI)
In 1993, the United Nations decided to set up the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and later adopted the so-called Paris Principles, which paved the way for a number of national human rights institutions.
International Labour Organization (ILO)
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the author of ILO conventions on working conditions, maternity protection, discrimination, freedom to organise, social security, child labour and much more.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is headquartered in Paris. The OECD was established in 1961, and Denmark has been a member of the OECD from the beginning.