The Universal Declaration at 70

On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted an unprecedented proclamation, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This milestone document, drafted by representatives from all over the world, codifies fundamental human rights and freedoms shared equally by all people. The UDHR, translated into over 500 languages, is as relevant today as it was at the time of its drafting.

On the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the UDHR, Hon. Theodor Meron reflected on the continued importance of the UDHR and human rights on the international stage and their impact on international criminal courts in particular. Hon. Theodor Meron is a leading scholar of international humanitarian law, human rights, and international criminal law. He is the former President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). He has also served as the Presiding Judge of the Appeals Chambers of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) as well as the ICTY. Hon. Theodor Meron is currently the President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, the institution mandated with carrying forward the work of the ICTY and ICTR.

Speakers:
Judge Theodor Meron, President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals
Michael D. Cooper, Chair, Council on International Affairs

Sponsoring Association Committee:
Council on International Affairs, Michael D. Cooper, Chair

Co-Sponsoring Committees:
International Human Rights Committee, Lauren Melkus, Chair
United Nations Committee, Simon O’Connor, Chair

Co-Sponsoring Organization:
The ABA Section of International Law

Sponsored by:
The Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights