ABSTRACT

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948. With the embers of war still burning, the UDHR boldly asserted the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights, the fundamental principles of equality and non-discrimination as well as a communitarian vision of mutual respect and solidarity. The belief in the power of human rights as a positive regulating force is a key inspirer, which assess the impact of human rights in several areas of life. Professor Bertrand Ramcharan, former United Nation High Commissioner for Human Rights, explains that "the only moral glue that can unite humanity remains the UDHR." The human rights framework has more to do to address practically the causes or consequences of displacement, a challenge referred to by both Professor Ramcharan and Dr Laura van Waas.