The human rights concept is based on the idea that all people are born free and equal in dignity and worth. Taking this concept seriously means recognizing that basic civil and political freedoms are fundamental to human life. This is why many governments around the world have signed international treaties recognizing human rights and committed to protecting them against violations.
While the human rights movement has achieved wide acceptance in recent decades, it remains a complex and controversial issue. Some people argue that human rights are simply a set of norms derived from philosophical and religious traditions and should be treated as such. Others believe that there are certain rights that are inalienable and universal, regardless of the social context or historical moment in which they originated. Still others maintain that human rights are an essential element of the political system and that the international community has a responsibility to ensure that these standards are observed by all countries.
Some believe that the human rights discourse is a form of social criticism that seeks to identify and challenge power structures that lead to oppression, inequality and conflict. It is a political discourse that is rooted in an anti-imperialistic and egalitarian vision of the world (Rawls 1999). This view can also be found in contemporary liberal political theory, which argues that a strong case for human rights can be made from a variety of “comprehensive” ethical, religious and moral points of view.
Others believe that human rights are a political tool for managing global conflicts and promoting peace and prosperity. They are a set of internationally recognized principles that are designed to protect the dignity and self-worth of individuals and nations. The goal is to encourage states to create policies and laws that foster human rights, thereby fostering a more just and equitable society.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a landmark international document adopted in 1948, lists the human rights that all people are entitled to. Other multilateral, regional and bilateral treaties and conventions expand or clarify the human rights listed in the UDHR. Some treaties address specific groups such as children, women or migrant workers and some address specific areas such as war crimes.
Human rights advocates also argue that it is important to recognize and acknowledge the existence of a range of different types of abuse and violations of human rights, such as:
Some people believe that the most effective way to prevent and protect human rights is by educating the global public about the realities of human rights abuses and the importance of addressing them. This can help generate the necessary international pressure to ensure that the human rights standards are enforced and upheld. It can also increase the effectiveness of legal and non-legal responses to violations of human rights. This includes enhancing the capacity of local justice systems to prosecute human rights violations. It can also include building awareness about the role of non-governmental organizations and non-state actors in the pursuit of human rights protections.