"Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible.

Universal human rights are often expressed and guaranteed by law, in the forms of treaties, customary international law , general principles and other sources of international law. International human rights law lays down obligations of Governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups."

The Justice In Action Committee voted unanimously to recommend to Council the adoption of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights as it was modified by the Town of Carrboro to make some of the language more universal. Acording to Judith Blau of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Human Rights Center, with the adoption by the Council, Chapel Hill would join with Carrboro as the only local governnments to have adopted the Declaration.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights does not have the force of law as it is not a treaty. It is a declaration of principles.