Model Question and Answers for APSC | The Vienna declaration is a landmark in the history of Human rights. Elucidate.(APSC 2020)

Ans : On 25 June 1993, representatives of 171 States adopted the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference on Human Rights, thereby strengthening human rights work around the world.

Landmark in the history of Human rights

1. The World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993 confirmed the universality of human rights, refuting those who argued that human rights were not universal but historically, socially and politically contextual and contingent.

2. The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action marked the culmination of a long process of review over the current status of human rights in the world.

3. It also marked the beginning of a renewed effort to strengthen and further implement human rights instruments that have been constructed on the foundation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) since 1948.

 The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (1993) stated:

• The universal nature of all human rights and fundamental freedoms is beyond question
• All human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent and interrelated
• It also confirmed a role for international action to promote and protect human rights