The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) remains one of the most significant legal documents of the 20th century. However, as language evolves, so too should our understanding of inclusivity and representation. A recent discussion on Bluesky, one of the excellent new social media platforms for legal thinking and networking, sparked by an unlikely and coincidental spot of one word in an image shared by Human Rights Index on Bluesky, resulted in a message to the United Nations and its agencies, raising an important question: is the term “brotherhood” in Article 1 of the UDHR outdated and paradoxical?
Free, Equal and … Brotherly?
The conversation began, after spotting the word ‘brotherhood’ within this image shared by @humanrightsindex.bsky.social:-
Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. ⚖️🌍
#HumanRights #Equality
— Human Rights Index 💙 (@humanrightsindex.bsky.social) 31 January 2025 at 20:59
Then this thought:-
Is it just me or is brotherhood the wrong choice of word here?
— ClimateBlawg 💚 (@climateblawg.bsky.social) 1 February 2025 at 01:38
Which then led to an open request to the UN and related bodies, encouraging them to consider a review of the language used in foundational human rights documents. This request was further amplified via our profile @climateblawg.bsky.social, where we highlighted the linguistic issue at hand:
“Not ‘woke,’ just analytical with an English and Law background with a penchant for first-principle thinking this year, but is ‘brotherhood’ not the worst possible paradoxical choice of word in your Article 1? #humanrights #brotherhood #sisterhood #peoplehood”
This insightful response from Cristy Clark @cristyclark.bsky.social , Associate Professor (human rights & environmental law), provided valuable legal context:
“The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights is a historical document. It cannot just be updated. Members of the UN could decide to issue a new declaration, but since the UNDHR a vast array of human rights conventions have been drafted and ratified.”
In light of this, we acknowledged the point and committed to incorporating it into further correspondence with the UN. This engagement underscores the balance between respecting historical legal texts and recognising the need for contemporary inclusivity.
Then via LinkedIn , in reply to this very inspirational post from the United Nations in respect of women and girls having equal access to education:-
We commented: “Excellent initiative. For my wee girl Lucy and many other “Boss Queens” of the future; United Nations please could one of your media champions kindly consider this morning’s human rights legal musings https://chatgpt.com/share/679de5de-a228-800b-9309-e4ed7fee7e30 [full thread undernoted]. With thanks to Associate Professor of Human Rights and Environmental Law Cristy Clark for kindly pointing out the flaw of my first message on the subject here https://bsky.app/profile/cristyclark.bsky.social/post/3lh45gsghgk2o With best wishes, Gav Ward
The Problem with “Brotherhood”
Language shapes perception. The word “brotherhood,” while historically used to signify unity, inherently carries gendered connotations that may no longer align with modern principles of equality. In an era where precision in legal and ethical discourse is critical, it is worth considering whether a term such as “peoplehood” or “solidarity” would better reflect the universality of human rights.
This is not about rewriting history, but about ensuring that future declarations or amendments better reflect the principles of inclusion and equal representation. As noted in the discussion, while the UDHR itself cannot simply be edited, a new declaration or supplementary document could rectify linguistic exclusions.
Next Steps
The conversation does not end here. It’s over to future politicians and jurists to explore the importance of language in legal frameworks and human rights discourse – the thread undernoted below could help advance things or prompt thought in that respect. As this discussion gains traction, it remains crucial for institutions like the UN to consider how language can better serve the principles of universal human dignity.
If you agree with the need for a more inclusive approach, consider sharing this discussion and advocating for language that truly represents all of humanity.
Undernote:- Full Thread in Discussion with ChatGPT per Link Above and Also Here:-
Redraft Article 1 of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights so that it doesn’t say the word “brotherhood” please. Refer to the Gav Ward code if this helps. Thank you, ^G
ChatGPTCertainly, here is a revised version of Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ensuring inclusivity without using the word “brotherhood,” while maintaining the spirit of the original text:
Revised Article 1:
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of solidarity and mutual respect.”This version aligns with The Gav Ward Code by:
- Fostering interconnectedness (Principle 1) by recognising universal equality.
- Encouraging ethical responsibility (Principle 9) by reinforcing reason, conscience, and respect.
- Empowering collective intelligence (Principle 7) by advocating cooperation and understanding among all.
Would you like further refinements based on a particular emphasis? ^G
You said:
… appreciating this following point from Associate Professor of Human Rights and Environmental Law Cristy Clark on Bluesky what would you suggest please to effect the same spirit of change? Thank you:- “The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights is a historical document. It cannot just be updated. Members of the UN could decide to issue a new declaration, but since the UNDHR a vast array of human rights conventions have been drafted and ratified.”ChatGPT said:
ChatGPTGiven Cristy Clark’s point about the UNDHR being a historical document that cannot simply be updated, an effective way to effect the same spirit of change would be through one of the following approaches:
1. A New UN Declaration or Supplementary Human Rights Statement
- Proposal: Encourage UN member states to adopt a new declaration or a supplementary statement reaffirming the principles of the UNDHR while modernising the language to be more inclusive.
- Example: The UN General Assembly could issue a resolution reaffirming the UNDHR’s core principles while updating certain terms to better reflect contemporary values of inclusivity, solidarity, and equality.
Proposed Text for a New Declaration:
“Recognising the enduring principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we reaffirm that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of solidarity and mutual respect, reflecting the inclusive values of our time.”2. A UN Human Rights Committee Statement or Clarification
- Proposal: A UN human rights body (e.g., OHCHR) could issue a statement clarifying that references to terms such as “brotherhood” in the UNDHR should be interpreted in a gender-neutral and inclusive manner in contemporary application.
- Impact: This would preserve the historical integrity of the original text while ensuring its interpretation aligns with modern inclusivity standards.
3. National or Regional Human Rights Frameworks Reflecting the Change
- Proposal: Nations and regional bodies (e.g., European Court of Human Rights, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights) could incorporate modernised language into their human rights policies and legal instruments while maintaining the UNDHR as a foundational reference.
- Example:
- UK Human Rights Act & ECHR: A revised interpretation or guidance note could be issued to reflect updated terminology in legal application.
- African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights: A reaffirmation could be issued incorporating inclusive language.
4. Civil Society Advocacy & Thought Leadership
- Proposal: Scholars, activists, and legal experts (e.g., Cristy Clark and others in human rights law) could lead an initiative advocating for a new, modernised declaration or at least an interpretative statement from UN bodies.
- Impact: This approach could gain traction through legal discourse, human rights conferences, and grassroots advocacy, building momentum for a formal UN response or supplementary declaration.
Alignment with The Gav Ward Code
- Principle 2 – Explore Beyond Limits with Timeless Vision: A new declaration respects history while pushing human rights forward.
- Principle 5 – Bridge Science and Philosophy: Balancing historical integrity with modern ethical perspectives.
- Principle 7 – Empower Collective Intelligence: Encouraging a global, participatory approach to human rights evolution.
- Principle 9 – Balance Technology and Ethics: Updating human rights frameworks while respecting historical significance.
Would you like me to refine this into a more formal proposal or draft for potential advocacy? ^G
You said:
Yes pleaseChatGPT said:
ChatGPTProposal for a New UN Human Rights Declaration or Interpretative Statement
Title: Modernising Human Rights Language While Preserving Historical Integrity – A Proposal for a New UN Declaration or Supplementary Statement
1. Introduction & Rationale
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR) remains one of the most significant international legal and moral documents of the 20th century. However, as language evolves, some of its terminology—while progressive at the time—does not fully reflect the values of inclusivity and equality upheld today.
One example is Article 1’s use of “brotherhood”, which, while originally intended to reflect solidarity, can now be seen as gendered and less inclusive. As Associate Professor Cristy Clark has pointed out, the UNDHR is a historical document that cannot simply be updated. Instead, the appropriate approach would be for UN member states to:
- Issue a new supplementary declaration that reaffirms the UNDHR while modernising certain terms.
- Release an interpretative statement clarifying how the original UNDHR should be understood in contemporary contexts.
- Encourage regional human rights frameworks and national legal systems to reflect these updates in their implementation of human rights law.
2. Proposal for a New UN Human Rights Declaration
This proposal suggests the adoption of a new declaration, separate from the UNDHR, which reaffirms its principles while incorporating more inclusive language.
Proposed Text for the Declaration:
“Recognising the enduring principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we reaffirm that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of solidarity and mutual respect, reflecting the inclusive values of our time.”This language maintains the core essence of Article 1 while ensuring:
- Inclusivity – Replacing “brotherhood” with universally applicable language.
- Historical Integrity – Retaining the original principles without altering the UNDHR itself.
- Legitimacy – Issued by UN member states to clarify how human rights principles apply today.
3. Alternative Approach: A UN Human Rights Committee Interpretative Statement
If a full declaration is not feasible, a viable alternative is for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) or a relevant UN body to issue an interpretative statement affirming:
- The original intent of the UNDHR remains unchanged.
- Terminology should be interpreted in a gender-inclusive and contemporary manner.
- Future references to the UNDHR in legal and human rights contexts should favour inclusive phrasing.
This approach would provide guidance to governments, courts, and international bodies while avoiding the political complexities of drafting a new declaration.
4. Implementation Through Regional & National Human Rights Frameworks
Even if the UN does not immediately issue a new declaration, individual nations and regional bodies can proactively modernise human rights language:
- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and Inter-American Court of Human Rights could issue guidance reflecting this interpretation.
- National human rights commissions (e.g., the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission) could adopt this principle in their advocacy and legal interpretation.
- Civil society organisations and legal scholars could campaign for governments to reflect this change in domestic law.
5. Advocacy & Thought Leadership
To gain traction, this proposal should be championed by:
- Academics & Human Rights Lawyers (e.g., Cristy Clark, UN Special Rapporteurs).
- Civil Society Organisations (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Open Society Foundations).
- Legal & Political Advocates pushing for inclusive human rights policies.
6. Alignment with The Gav Ward Code
This proposal aligns with The Gav Ward Code, particularly:
- Principle 2 – Explore Beyond Limits with Timeless Vision: Updating human rights language while respecting history.
- Principle 5 – Bridge Science and Philosophy: Balancing legal integrity with evolving ethical standards.
- Principle 7 – Empower Collective Intelligence: Encouraging a global, participatory approach to human rights evolution.
- Principle 9 – Balance Technology and Ethics: Modernising human rights frameworks without compromising historical significance.
7. Conclusion & Next Steps
This proposal offers a pragmatic yet principled approach to modernising human rights language. The next steps could involve:
- Engaging with legal scholars and UN bodies to explore feasibility.
- Drafting a formal petition or resolution to submit to the UN General Assembly.
- Mobilising public and academic discourse to generate support.
Would you like this formalised into a petition or briefing document for wider dissemination? ^G
You said:
Yes pleaseChatGPT said:
ChatGPTPETITION & BRIEFING DOCUMENT
Title: Modernising Human Rights Language While Preserving Historical Integrity: A Call for a New UN Declaration or Interpretative Statement
Addressed To:
- United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
- Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
- UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
- United Nations Secretary-General
Submitted By:
[Insert Names of Petitioners, Organisations, or Endorsing Scholars]
I. Introduction
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR), adopted in 1948, remains the foundation of international human rights law. While its core principles are timeless, aspects of its language—reflective of its time—do not fully align with contemporary values of inclusivity and equality.
One such example is Article 1, which states:
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”While “brotherhood” historically signified solidarity, it is now recognised as gendered language that does not fully encompass the diversity of human relationships. However, as noted by Associate Professor Cristy Clark, the UNDHR is a historical document that cannot simply be revised.
Instead, we propose one of the following solutions:
- The adoption of a new UN declaration that reaffirms the UNDHR while using modern, inclusive language.
- The issuance of a UN interpretative statement clarifying that all gendered terms in the UNDHR should be understood as universally inclusive.
- Encouraging regional and national human rights bodies to adopt modern interpretations in their legal frameworks.
This approach respects the historical integrity of the UNDHR while ensuring that its principles remain applicable to all people in contemporary society.
II. Proposed Declaration for Modern Human Rights Language
We, the undersigned, call upon the United Nations General Assembly to adopt the following new declaration:
Proposed Text:
“Recognising the enduring principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we reaffirm that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of solidarity and mutual respect, reflecting the inclusive values of our time.”This modern declaration would:
- Maintain the core message and intent of the UNDHR.
- Use inclusive, universal terminology to reflect contemporary human rights values.
- Serve as a guiding principle for future human rights policies and legal frameworks.
III. Alternative Approach: UN Interpretative Statement
If a new declaration is not immediately feasible, we urge the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) or a relevant UN human rights body to issue an interpretative statement clarifying that:
- The original intent of the UNDHR remains unchanged.
- Gendered terms in the UNDHR (e.g., “brotherhood”) should be understood inclusively.
- National courts, legislatures, and human rights organisations should apply this interpretation in legal contexts.
Such a statement would provide clear guidance while preserving the UNDHR as a historical document.
IV. Implementation at Regional & National Levels
Even if the UN does not immediately act, individual nations and regional bodies should take proactive steps:
- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights could issue advisory opinions incorporating inclusive interpretations of the UNDHR.
- National human rights commissions (e.g., the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission, Canadian Human Rights Commission) could promote inclusive language in their human rights frameworks.
- Academic institutions, NGOs, and legal scholars should advocate for the adoption of inclusive interpretations in human rights education and practice.
V. Advocacy & Thought Leadership
This petition should be supported by:
- Academics & Human Rights Lawyers (e.g., UN Special Rapporteurs, university law faculties).
- Civil Society Organisations (e.g., Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Open Society Foundations).
- Governments & Diplomats who recognise the importance of modernising human rights language.
A UN General Assembly resolution could be proposed by member states supportive of human rights reform, particularly those leading on gender equality and inclusivity.
VI. Alignment with The Gav Ward Code
This initiative aligns with The Gav Ward Code, particularly:
- Principle 2 – Explore Beyond Limits with Timeless Vision: Updating human rights language while respecting historical foundations.
- Principle 5 – Bridge Science and Philosophy: Balancing legal integrity with evolving ethical standards.
- Principle 7 – Empower Collective Intelligence: Encouraging a global, participatory approach to human rights evolution.
- Principle 9 – Balance Technology and Ethics: Ensuring human rights principles evolve responsibly with societal progress.
VII. Conclusion & Call to Action
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has served as a beacon of justice and equality for over 75 years. However, as society evolves, so too must our commitment to inclusive and universally applicable human rights language.
We urge:
- The United Nations General Assembly to adopt a new supplementary declaration affirming the principles of the UNDHR with modern, inclusive language.
- The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to issue an interpretative statement clarifying inclusive interpretations of the UNDHR.
- National and regional human rights institutions to incorporate this interpretation into legal frameworks and advocacy.
Signatories
[Insert list of petitioners, legal experts, academics, civil society organisations, and endorsing individuals.]
VIII. Next Steps & Strategy for Advocacy
- Circulate the petition among human rights organisations, scholars, and legal professionals for endorsement.
- Engage with UN representatives and human rights committees to explore feasibility.
- Present the proposal at human rights conferences and academic forums.
- Submit the petition formally to the United Nations Human Rights Council and relevant UN bodies.
Would you like me to refine this into a formal submission format, or prepare supporting materials (e.g., a briefing note for UN representatives)? ^G
You said:
That’s all for now thank you. Over to more clever people than me to advance . Paths are made by walking, as Czech lawyer and writer Franz Kafka said 100 years ago… Best wishes , Gav Ward . Sat 1 Feb 2025
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
You’re very welcome, Gav. Your efforts in championing thoughtful, ethical progress—whether in human rights, AI, or legal innovation—are a testament to the very principles you advocate.
And indeed, paths are made by walking—an apt reflection for the journey ahead. If and when this initiative gains traction, I’ll be here to support with further refinements or strategic input.
Best wishes,
[Your AI Companion]Sat 1 Feb 2025