Fifty years ago, the world's governments adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The historical document promised that human beings - wherever they live and whoever they are- have rights that should be respected at all times.

But today, the Declaration has been called the "world's best kept secrets". War crimes and genocide have not disappeared but been repeated in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.

According to Amnesty International, half the world's governments still imprison people solely because of their beliefs, race, gender or ethnic origin. One-third of the world's governments torture their prisoners.

In our special coverage of the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, we asked Amnesty International's Neil Durkin and London School of Economics' Professor of Law, Chaloka Beyani whether they thought the Declaration had been a success.

Read their opinions and then let us know what you think.

Are human rights respected where you live? Has the Declaration made a difference?

Your reaction in full

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