Human rights are the foundation of the development of civilization. Only when human rights are promoted and practiced could the world grow and thrive.
In recognition of the importance of human rights, the United Nations proclaimed and sanctioned The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on 10th December 1948. This Declaration is recognized to be the most important piece of document to humans. Translated into over 500 languages and dialects, the Declaration sets out concisely the fundamental rights that every human is lawfully held and protected.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the UDHR,
Ozge Tigli - the creative director of Bumbuku Creatives in Amsterdam - created a card game in which 30 articles of the Declaration are illustrated vividly and playfully. Tigli's aim is to educate children about human rights through interactive stories in which the kids and their imaginary friends live in the world shaped by the UDHR.
Let's see how 30 articles of the UDHR have been creatively and colorfully incorporated into 30 illustrations by Ozge Tigli below!
#1 Article 1: Everyone is born free and equal
Source: Ozge Tigli
Since the day we were born, the basic human rights are entitled to us and no one could deprive them of us. Regardless of our skin tone and race, we were born under the same sky and we are equal in every way.
#2 Article 2: Human rights and freedom are for everyone
Source: Ozge Tigli
Irrespective of our race, skin color, gender, language, or religion, human rights and freedom set out in the Declaration are for everyone. It is similar to the way each sandwich for each child is of the same size, and the way the flock of birds symbolizes freedom and liberty.
#3 Article 3: Security and protection are for everyone
Source: Ozge Tigli
Liberty and security shall be provided equally to everyone regardless of their nationality, race, skin color, or social status. It is the umbrella that is protecting the girl and the little frog from the rain, representing the protection that everyone deserves when there is danger or damage.
#4 Article 4: Slavery shall no longer exist
Source: Ozge Tigli
Slavery was once a sad part of human history, but now it is no longer tolerated by the law and the UDHR. No one shall be put into the state of slavery, and this act shall be completely forbidden. While it may be too much a problematic issue for children to understand, Tigli's vivid illustration has made it easier for them. The chain symbolizes the slavery contracts that are forcing people into servitude and the children are fighting against it.
#5 Article 5: No one shall be tortured or mistreated
Source: Ozge Tigli
Cruelty, mistreatment and injustice are unacceptable and no one shall be the victim of such inhumane actions. The octopus is protecting the child from torturing equipment, which is illustrated as crab clamps so as not to frighten the children.
#6 Article 6: Every one of us is recognized as a person
Source: Ozge Tigli
You may be smaller than your pals, or you may be less intelligent than your classmates. No matter your biological features or characteristics, you are a person with lawful rights that are recognized in this Declaration.
#7 Article 7: We are all equal before the law
Source: Ozge Tigli
No matter how big the elephant is, or what color the elephant is, the scale is always balanced. No matter what race you are, or what your gender is, before the law, we are equal.
#8 Article 8: We have the right to seek legal advice and remedy
Source: Ozge Tigli
Everyone is equal under the law. Legal remedy is available to all of us in case of someone's violation of our fundamental rights. As in the illustrations, the wolf is on trial for doing harm to the shepherd and the Red Riding Hood.
#9 Article 9: Unlawful arrest or capture shall not be tolerated
Source: Ozge Tigli
No one of us shall fall victim to arbitrary arrest, capture, detention or exile unless there are reasons set forth by the law. In the illustrations, the baby cot represents the prisons cells and the child's cry symbolizes the negative feelings of being captured and put behind bars.
#10 Article 10: A fair and public hearing is entitled to everyone
Source: Ozge Tigli
Oh, the vase broke! Who is at fault for the broken vase? A fair and public hearing carried out by an impartial tribunal is lawfully available to everyone so that they can raise their voice and justify themselves in any disputes.
#11 Article 11: The presumption that everyone is innocent until proven guilty
Source: Ozge Tigli
Not until a verdict has been reached in a fair public trial and the person is proved guilty could he/she be called a criminal. Otherwise, we are all presumed innocent. In the illustration, the boy represents the police investigating even the tiniest piece of evidence. Meanwhile, the two cats are on a balanced scale, symbolizing that no one is taken to be guilty when the police is still searching for the truth.
#12 Article 12: Everyone has the right to protect their privacy from others
Source: Ozge Tigli
No one has the privilege to interfere with others' privacy, including family, personal information, contact, honor or reputation. Just like the boy in the illustrations, closing the curtains to prevent the curious stars from his private life.
#13 Article 13: Travelling to everywhere you want, it's all your right!
Source: Ozge Tigli
The world is all yours, and no one can refrain you from travelling and exploring the amazing places all around the globe. It is your right to move, travel and return home.
#14 Article 14: Eveyone has the right to find a new shelter for themselves
Source: Ozge Tigli
When there is too much persecution and insecurities in your homeland, a hopeful journey to other countries to seek protection is a right of yours. As the illustration shows, the hair represents the hardships that they've been through; and while the 3 other children are looking back at their burning homes, the leading girl is finding a new shelter for her hopeful new life.
#15 Article 15: Each of us all has our own nationality
Source: Ozge Tigli
Nationality is a title awarded to us when we were born, and we shall be protected by the nation of which we are the citizens.
#16 Article 16: Our right to marry and have a family
Source: Ozge Tigli
We all deserve love and family. No matter our gender or sexual orientation, the right to marry the one we love and build a family with him/her is fundamental.
Since the issue of child marriage is still prevalent in many countries, Tigli doesn't show the marriage scene in the illustration but replaces it with adult silhouettes in a lovely gathering, which symbolizes happiness and unity. The two owls on the right corner symbolize that this article also includes the right of the LGBTQ+ community, implying that nobody is left out due to their sexual orientation.
#17 Article 17: We have full ownership of our property
Source: Ozge Tigli
Our property is the product of our labor and hard-work, and no one shall deprive your property of you. We have our right to own and be in full possession of a property that we acquired by ourselves.
#18 Article 18: Our freedom of thought, conscience, and religion
Source: Ozge Tigli
We are in the control of our religious beliefs and thinking, which is collectively recognized as the freedom of thought. There are plenty of religions and beliefs in the world that no one could force you to or not follow. In the illustration, the plants of the boy's choice is taken care of and watered by himself, at his discretion. He appreciates and cherishes all plants in the same way as we embrace all religions and beliefs.
#19 Article 19: We can all express our opinion freely
Source: Ozge Tigli
Our right to seek information, share stories, and express our opinions is fundamental and irreplaceable. The freedom of expression is entitled to us as we deserve to learn about the world around us and express ourselves to the world.
#20 Article 20: Making friends and joining social groups, they are all our rights
Source: Ozge Tigli
Friends and social networks are what cannot be deprived from human as connection and unity are the foundation of our society.
#21 Article 21: Voting is a basic human right, a foundation for democracy
Source: Ozge Tigli
Not being the president or a prime minister doesn't mean we can't participate in the nation's work or contribute to the national development. Voting is a fundamental right for all citizens as this is their chance to express political opinions and take part in public services. Democracy can't be established without the equal voting rights given to all its civilians.
#22 Article 22: Economic, social and cultural rights belong to everyone
Source: Ozge Tigli
The penguin with the jar of coins represents economic rights, while the penguin with the heart symbolizes social rights, and the other penguin with painting brushes is about cultural rights. All of them are safely protected under an umbrella given by a lovely polar bear with its huge size representing social security provided by the authority and government.
#23 Article 23: The right to work and choose a job is all yours
Source: Ozge Tigli
These hard-working bees are working in harmony for a job that they are happy and satisfied with. We are just like those bees, having the right to freely choose the type of employment we want and the working conditions we favor.
#24 Article 24: Our right to rest and have holidays is recognized too!
Source: Ozge Tigli
Being hard-working doesn't mean you can't take a break. And the Declaration even recognizes that having a rest and going on holidays are the basic human rights! Who could work for an indefinite number of hours?
#25 Article 25: An adequate standard of living is entitled to everyone
Source: Ozge Tigli
Healthcare, food, clothing or housing are basic necessities for everyone and it is our right to have adequate access to them and to reach a decent standard of living. As the illustration demonstrate, each apple represents a basic need of human and the apples are all in reach of the child, suggesting that those services are accessible to all human.
#26 Article 26: Education is fundamental to all humans, adult,s and children
Source: Ozge Tigli
Education is for everyone, and the right to learn more about the world is not limited to any one but is for all humans regardless of their race, skin color, religion or nationality. Only when all of us are decently educated could human rights be further respected and promoted.
#27 Article 27: We can all enjoy art and science equally
Source: Ozge Tigli
No matter it is ballet or folk dance, classical music or funky pop music, fine arts or handcrafting, we can all enjoy and appreciate them equally. Arts and science are for everyone.
#28 Article 27: We can all enjoy art and science equally
Source: Ozge Tigli
Human rights are the goal of this Declaration, and every one of us has the right to live in a world that all 30 articles of the UDHR are well-respected and further promoted. Each fruit is a social right and the ladders are our lawful access to them. And those rights are 'planted' and 'watered' with respect so that the 'trees' will grow and the 'fruits' will be better. At the same time, those 'fruits' are made into tasty tarts that are enjoyed by all of us.
#29 Article 29: Your rights are respected by others, so we must respect other people's rights in return
Source: Ozge Tigli
It is our duty to respect and appreciate the rights of people around us, as our rights are respected by them in return. Just like the trees in the illustrations: they are all growing in the woods but their branches are not interfered with each other, suggesting that humans could all live in harmony in society if we respect each other's rights and freedom.
#30 Article 30: Human rights belong to you from the day you were born, and till the last day of your life
Source: Ozge Tigli
No one can take away basic human rights from you. They are yours since day 1 and belong to you for all your life. The blue and orange furry ball have their own rights, and the little snail has its rights too!
H/T:
Boredpanda