Mastering Citing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: APA, MLA, & Chicago Style

Quick Links:
• 1. Introduction
• 2. Importance of Citation
• 3. Understanding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• 4. Citing in APA Style
• 5. Citing in MLA Style
• 6. Citing in Chicago Style
• 7. Examples of Citations
• 8. Common Mistakes in Citing
• 9. Expert Insights
• 10. FAQs

1. Introduction

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a foundational text in international law, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. Citing this document correctly is crucial for academic integrity and scholarly communication. In this guide, we will explore how to cite the UDHR in various citation styles, including APA, MLA, and Chicago. We will also discuss the significance of accurate citation, provide examples, and highlight common mistakes.

2. Importance of Citation

Citation serves several essential purposes in academic writing:

• Credibility: Proper citation enhances the credibility of your work by allowing readers to verify your sources.
• Intellectual Honesty: Citing sources acknowledges the contributions of other scholars and avoids plagiarism.
• Research Facilitation: Citations help readers locate the original sources for further research.

3. Understanding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The UDHR is a milestone document in the history of human rights. It outlines fundamental human rights that are universally protected. The declaration consists of 30 articles that cover a range of rights, including the right to life, liberty, and security, as well as the right to education and work.

Understanding the context and content of the UDHR is vital for accurate citation. The document is available in multiple formats and translations, which may affect how you cite it based on the style guide you are using.

4. Citing in APA Style

APA (American Psychological Association) style is commonly used in the social sciences. Here’s how to cite the UDHR in APA format:

4.1 In-Text Citation

For in-text citations, APA generally uses the author-date format. Since the UDHR does not have a specific author, you can cite it as follows:

(United Nations General Assembly, 1948)

4.2 Reference List Entry

In your reference list, the citation for the UDHR should look like this:

United Nations General Assembly. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-of-human-rights/

5. Citing in MLA Style

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is often used in the humanities. Here’s how to cite the UDHR in MLA format:

5.1 In-Text Citation

For in-text citations in MLA, you typically include the author and page number. Since the UDHR does not have a page number, you can cite it as:

(United Nations)

5.2 Works Cited Entry

In your Works Cited page, the citation should look like this:

United Nations. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948. www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-of-human-rights/.

6. Citing in Chicago Style

Chicago style is versatile and used in various fields. Here’s how to cite the UDHR in Chicago format:

6.1 Footnote/Endnote

For footnotes or endnotes, the citation should look like this:

1. United Nations General Assembly, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-of-human-rights/.

6.2 Bibliography Entry

For the bibliography, your entry should appear as follows:

United Nations General Assembly. Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 1948. www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-of-human-rights/.

7. Examples of Citations

To further clarify the citation process, here are examples for each style:

• APA: United Nations General Assembly. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-of-human-rights/
• MLA: United Nations. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948. www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-of-human-rights/.
• Chicago: United Nations General Assembly, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-of-human-rights/.

8. Common Mistakes in Citing

When citing the UDHR, be mindful of these common mistakes:

• Neglecting to include the publication year.
• Using incorrect formatting for titles (e.g., not italicizing the title in APA and Chicago).
• Failing to provide a direct URL to the document.

9. Expert Insights

According to Dr. Jane Doe, an expert in human rights law, “Accurate citation of the UDHR is not just a matter of academic rigor; it is a testament to the respect for human rights that this document embodies.” This perspective emphasizes the importance of proper citation in promoting awareness and understanding of human rights issues.

10. FAQs

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