The history of human rights begins in ancient times, with the philosophical roots of modern human rights stemming from the first civilizations and their respective codes of conduct and justice. The concept of rights, privileges, and obligations has evolved over the years from the origin of the Code of Hammurabi in the 18th century BCE to the Magna Carta and the American and French Revolutions. The 20th century saw the emergence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the establishment of the United Nations as an organization devoted to protecting and promoting these rights. The UDHR, which is the most important document in the history of human rights, established an international standard for all countries to strive towards and recognize the basic rights and freedoms of all people, regardless of race, gender, or other characteristics. Since then, other conventions and treaties have been created, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). These documents, along with the work of countless activists, have been instrumental in the global advancement of human rights.