Human rights are a set of universally recognized moral principles or norms that establish standards for human behavior and protect individuals from oppressive actions by governments, organizations and private individuals. They are based on the idea that every person has value and deserves to be treated with dignity. Human rights are not a recent invention, but are rooted in ideas that go back thousands of years. The notion that humans have natural rights is a central part of most religions and philosophies, such as ancient Greece’s Stoic doctrine that people are “endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights.”
While the concept of human rights has its roots in ancient times, it became a focal point during the 20th century, after World War II. During this time, countries came together to develop a series of international treaties and agreements that formally established what are today called human rights. These international legal documents – the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, its two Optional Protocols, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, or the International Bill of Human Rights – are often seen as a cornerstone of international law.
The UDHR is the most widely ratified human rights document in history. It was developed by a committee of representatives from around the globe and is intended to be universal, meaning that its principles can apply to all nations and peoples regardless of their social, economic or religious situations. The UDHR establishes 30 articles that describe fundamental human rights and their guarantees, including freedom of speech, freedom of belief and freedom from want. It also establishes a right to a fair trial and to a standard of living that is sufficient for health, housing and education.
It is important to remember that human rights are not just noble aspirations, but essential legal principles. While we can see countless examples of human rights violations on television and in newspapers, most nations have taken steps to ensure that they meet their international human rights obligations by incorporating the principles of the UDHR into domestic law. This means that if an individual feels they have been treated unfairly, they can take their case to a court in their country and be given a hearing by a human rights committee.
The UDHR stresses the concept that human rights are indivisible and interdependent, which means that each right is of equal importance and cannot be ranked above or below one another. It also stresses that each right must be enforceable and can be enforced at the national level. For example, the right to freedom from torture is often used as a way to prevent governments from engaging in cruel and inhuman treatment.
This is why it’s so important for citizens to know their rights and how to defend them. For example, if you feel you have been denied the right to a fair trial, you can file a complaint with your local human rights commission or contact an attorney who may be able to help.