What does Article 14 of the UDHR establish?

Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) explicitly establishes the right to seek asylum from persecution. It states that everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy asylum in other countries from persecution. This is a fundamental human right that underscores the global commitment to protect individuals who are unable to return to their home countries due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on specific grounds such as race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

The concept of asylum is integral to international human rights law, and Article 14 ensures that individuals have the legal recourse to seek refuge in another country, reinforcing the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits a state from returning asylum seekers to a country where they would face threats to their life or freedom. This protection is essential in a world where many individuals are forced to flee their homes due to violence, conflict, or political repression.

The other options represent important rights as well, but they pertain to different aspects of legal protections and cultural rights rather than specifically addressing the right to seek asylum. For instance, equal protection under the law, cultural expression, and access to courts are critical legal principles but do not capture the unique aspect of seeking asylum from