Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

?Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states that "everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status." This fundamental principle of equality is the cornerstone of the UDHR and forms the basis for promoting and protecting human rights globally. The UDHR was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, in the aftermath of World War II. The horrors of the war, including genocide, war crimes, and systematic violations of human rights, underscored the urgent need for an international framework to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals. Article 2 of the UDHR was therefore drafted as a response to these atrocities, emphasizing the equal worth and rights of every human being, regardless of their background or circumstances. In the years following the adoption of the UDHR, Article 2 became a guiding principle for human rights advocacy and activism around the world. One of the key events that highlighted the importance of Article 2 was the Civil Rights Movement in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. Led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X, the movement sought to end racial segregation and discrimination, and secure equal rights for African Americans. Article 2 of the UDHR was invoked to challenge the Jim Crow laws and other forms of institutionalized racism, and played a crucial role in advancing the cause of civil rights in the US.Another significant event that underscored the relevance of Article 2 was the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. The apartheid regime, which enforced racial segregation and discrimination, violated the principles of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in the UDHR. Figures such as Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Albertina Sisulu led the fight against apartheid, using the language of human rights and Article 2 to mobilize domestic and international support for their cause. The eventual dismantling of the apartheid system in the early 1990s was a testament to the power of human rights advocacy and the importance of upholding the principles of equality and non-discrimination.