Human rights are principles that enshrining the dignity and worth of all people – whatever their position in society, status or wealth – and guaranteeing them against oppression, discrimination and injustice. They include the right to life, to privacy and to freedom from torture or slavery. These fundamental rights are the basis of a democratic society and the foundation of the global community, built on freedom, justice and peace.
Governments have the primary responsibility to protect their people against human rights abuses by third parties, but there is a growing recognition that businesses should also respect individual’s human rights as part of their business ethics and social license to operate. The human rights issues that we are facing today, ranging from conflict and disasters to economic inequality and the effects of climate change, require all countries to work together in partnership for the sake of humanity and our planet.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed in 1948, provides a framework for all nations and peoples to ensure their rights are recognised and protected. It has been translated into countless languages and is one of the most widely read international treaties. Its 58 articles set out the core principles that have come to define human rights and that all people are entitled to.
Article 1 of the Universal Declaration states that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights. This means that no person can be treated differently based on their race, social or economic status, political beliefs, religion, gender, language, property, origin, birth or other characteristics. It also states that every person is entitled to live in peace and security of persons, as well as the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself or herself.
Despite its lofty ideals, the Universal Declaration has not always been implemented in all nations. Even now, many governments fail to implement all of its articles and human rights violations persist worldwide. There is still an enormous amount of work to be done if we are to realise the full potential of the United Nations charter and the Universal Declaration.
One way to support the concept of human rights is to attribute them to a higher power, but this does not make them secure at the metaphysical level. Billions of people do not believe in the sort of god that would prescribe their rights. In order to give them real, robust existence at the practical level they must be legally enacted in national and international law. This is likely to be a much harder task than persuading them of the value of these legal norms. However, a strong moral case combined with robust legal enactment is probably the best way to achieve the goal of protecting human rights for all. In the meantime, it is essential that individuals stand up for their own rights and those of others. This is particularly important as we navigate the complexities of our increasingly interconnected world.