On December 10, 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to usher in a new era, proclaiming the basic rights and freedoms to which all people are entitled.  The UDHR encompasses a broad spectrum of economic, social, cultural, political, and civil rights, such as

• The right to equality

• The right to education

• The right to freedom of expression

• Freedom from discrimination

• Freedom from torture

• Freedom from arbitrary detention

In Germany, the Nazis first came for the communists, and I did not speak up, because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak up, because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak up, because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I did not speak up, because I was not a Catholic. Then they came for me... and by that time, there was no one to speak up for anyone.

-- Martin Niemoeller, Pastor,

    German Evangelical (Lutheran) Church