Declaration of Human Rights: Political opinions

10 June 2024

On December 10 last year, we began a series on Human Rights. While everyone talks about them, few of us really know what they are and what they stand for.

Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights extends the freedom of thought expressed in articles 18 to 20 to the political arena. In other words, everyone must be free to participate in the public life of his or her country, whether by standing for election, working in the civil service or simply voting. This article also reaffirms that a democratic system that allows the free expression of opinions is an essential human right.

Article 21 of the Declaration of Human Rights

Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

The Red Cross is naturally committed to defending Human Rights. This commitment was reinforced in 2022 with the signing of the national “Business and Human Rights” Pact. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is one of the reference documents of the Code of Conduct and Ethics of the Luxembourg Red Cross.

Image: Vectorjuice – Freepik

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