Dec. 10 is International Human Rights Day, which celebrates the United Nations adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Dec. 10, 1948. Near the top of the declaration is the statement that “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”

A powerful tool used around the world to gather evidence and hold governments accountable for violating those rights was created by a group of Minnesotans in the 1980s. It’s called the Minnesota Protocol.

Jennifer Prestholdt is deputy director of the Advocates for Human Rights and she worked on the updated version of the protocol. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about how the protocol is used, how it’s been helpful in protecting human rights and the future of the tool.