The International Bill of Human Rights Handbook

The Declaration is comprised of 30 articles that establish the principles of human dignity, equality, and justice. Article 1 states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and are endowed with reason and conscience. The Declaration emphasizes the importance of non-discrimination, stating in Article 2 that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Declaration without distinction of any kind. This includes protection from slavery, torture, and arbitrary arrest, as well as the right to a fair trial and equal protection under the law. Article 3 asserts that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person. The Declaration also addresses the right to freedom of movement and residence, as well as the right to leave and return to one's country. Article 13 states that everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State, and the right to leave any country, including one's own, and to return to one's country. Article 14 asserts that everyone has the right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution in other countries. The Declaration also recognizes the importance of the family, stating in Article 16 that men and women of full age have the right to marry and to found a family, and are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage, and at its dissolution. The family is considered the natural and fundamental group unit of society, and is entitled to protection by society and the State. In addition, the Declaration emphasizes the importance of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, as well as freedom of opinion and expression. Article 18 states that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and the right to change his religion or belief. Article 19 asserts that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. The Declaration also recognizes the importance of freedom of peaceful assembly and association, stating in Article 20 that everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and that no one may be compelled to belong to an association. Finally, Article 21 asserts that everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives, and to equal access to public service. The Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya) has compiled this handbook on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which includes the selected instruments of the International Bill of Human Rights. The handbook aims to promote the observance of human rights in Kenya and provide a source of information on the International Bill of Rights for the Judiciary, legal practitioners, human rights activists, and the public at large.