Today marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. When the declaration was signed in 1948, it was the first time in history that nations came together to agree on
basic principles of justice, equality, and rights for all. The Univeral Declaration has become the most translated, the most ‘universal’ in the world. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was awarded the Guiness World Record for collecting, translating and disseminating the Universal Declaration in more than 300 language and dialects. 2008 is also the 10th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights Defenders, which recognizes the importance and legitimacy of the work of human rights defenders and their need for better protection.