International human rights law

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/international-human-rights-law

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the foundational document?The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), a non-binding statement of principles
2. Why was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights made after World War II?After seeing the terrible suffering of World War II, leaders wanted to stop such violence. The Declaration was created to give everyone a clear list of rights that all countries should respect.
3. How do countries show they follow human rights rules?Countries write reports that are checked by special committees. These committees look at whether the country is keeping its promises about rights and help them improve.

Customary International Law: Unwritten rules derived from consistent state practice and the belief that such practice is legally required.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL): The body of law that regulates the conduct of armed hostilities and aims to limit their effects.
Treaty Bodies: Committees of independent experts that monitor states' compliance with international human rights treaties.