Human rights exist, as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the

entire body of international human rights law. They are recognizedat least in
principleby most nations and form the heart of many national constitutions. Yet the
actual situation in the world is far distant from the ideals envisioned in the Declaration.
To some, the full realization of human rights is a remote and unattainable goal. Even
international human rights laws are difficult to enforce and pursuing a complaint can
take years and a great deal of money. These international laws serve as a restraining
function but are insufficient to provide adequate human rights protection, as
evidenced by the stark reality of abuses perpetrated daily.
Discrimination is rampant throughout the world. Thousands are in prison for speaking
their minds. Torture and politically motivated imprisonment, often without trial, are
commonplace, condoned and practicedeven in some democratic countries.
But you can make a difference. Become informed by reading the reports on human
rights around the world.
Human rights advocates agree that, sixty years after its issue, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights is still more a dream than reality. Violations exist in every
part of the world.
Not only that, but women and children in particular are marginalized in numerous
ways, the press is not free in many countries, and dissenters are silenced, too often
permanently. While some gains have been made over the course of the last six
decades, human rights violations still plague the world today.

ARTICLE 4

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.