How the UN is defending human rights

Today some nurses are themselves victims of human rights violations (ranging from the extreme practice of torture to economic and social discrimination just because they are women), while others are witness to violations of the rights of their people or patients (minorities, indigenous population, AIDS sufferers, the mentally ill or children). But these injustices are not being ignored and nurses can help stop them. Since 40 years ago when the conscience of the world was awakened with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international instruments providing the legal clout and pressure to stop the oppressors have been set in motion and are working in some places. Unfortunately violations continue in a number of countries. There are numerous effective channels (see also Inside View), many through the UN. To mark the Declaration's 40th anniversary on December 10 and to give readers a better understanding of what the UN is doing to promote and protect the peoples of the world, INR below answers some questions that nurses may be asking, defines the treaties and shows what international machinery is available to realize those rights.* In a subsequent issue, INR will focus on nurses' involvement in torture and other inhuman treatment and their moral dilemma, giving the views of nurses who have cared for such victims.