When States accept human rights as stated in the Universal Declaration and other international human rights instruments, they still need to deal with the difficult and delicate task of interpreting and applying these rights in their local contexts. The realisation of human rights and implementation of international human rights norms can be conditioned by the historical, cultural and social particularities of the country concerned. This, however, does not deny nor diminish the importance of the principle of the universality of human rights as enshrined in the 1948 declaration. From what I have outlined, it will be realised that the 1948 declaration came under close scrutiny as recently as 1993 and was reaffirmed by 171 member States. Furthermore, the large number of international codifications on human rights derives their source from the 1948 declaration.
Some figures are of interest.
The very fact that so many member States have ratified or acceded to these codifications is a further testimony of universal acceptance of the 1948 declaration. Any review of the source of these codifications would have a far-reaching and destabilising effect on international human rights law and could very well threaten world peace. Human rights assert the dignity of each and every individual human being and the inviolability of the individual s rights. They belong inherently to each person, each individual, and are not conferred by, or subject to, any governmental authority. There is not one law for one continent and one for another.