The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Drafting Process
18 members from various political, cultural, and religious backgrounds formed The Commission on Human Rights (Eleanor Roosevelt, widow of Franklin D. Roosevelt chaired the committee). The Commission met for the first time in 1947. The final draft of the Declaration was handed to the Commission being held in Geneva, therefore, the draft declaration that was sent to all UN member states for commentary is known as the Geneva draft. Over 50 Member States were participating in the final drafting; as a result of this process, the first draft of the Declaration was ready in September 1948.
Human Rights Day
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on 10 December 1948. This date has been commemorated since 1950 when the General Assembly invited all states to celebrate Human Rights Day for the first time. Traditionally on 10 December high-level political conferences and meetings are held in United Nations headquarters in New York. Special events organized by governmental and non-governmental organizations accompany the celebration.
The Commission on Human Rights: The Chairwoman
Being neither scholar nor an expert on international law the former American First Lady managed to breathe into the work of the committee much enthusiasm and positive thinking. Her efforts were directed to making a common-sense approach and optimism fundamental in the process of the Commission’s work. Throughout her political activity, Eleanor Roosevelt was known as a professional who cared about the interests of the common man and woman.
Legacy of Smoking at the Workplace
Federal agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission demand employers to take reasonable measures to protect no-smokers from smoke. Safety in the workplace with regards to this problem is also protected by The Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Employees experiencing problems with their co-workers who smoke are encouraged to inform the proper authority. If the authority fails to take reasonable steps employees can resort to the organizations mentioned above to have their rights protected.
Telephone Tapping at Work
Interception of oral communications and telephone conversations, in particular, is prohibited by The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. According to the document, private and confidential conversations between employees should remain such, employers are forbidden to eavesdrop.
Monitoring E-Mail Messages
The law in different states differs but only a few states have legislation that grants workers’ protection from employers’ reading their e-mail. The principles of e-mail monitoring are established in the concrete company’s policy. More than one-third of the companies consider searching e-mail to be a business necessity. However, employers are forbidden to open e-mail marked as “personal and confidential”. In case privacy rights have been violated employers should feel free to address an employment attorney.
Questions about Employee’s Sex, Age, Race, Pregnancy, Nationality, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation, Disability
Employers are forbidden to ask questions of the kind and deny the employment on that basis as this violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 1964. Qualified applicants should be guaranteed unbiased treatment. In case any prejudice is shown towards an applicant he/she should resort to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and seek damages.