What are Human Rights?

Human rights are the rights, privileges and fundamental freedoms that all individuals are entitled to regardless of their nationality, religion, place of residence, sex, national origin, race, color and other attributes. They can also be defined as freedom of thought and conscience, freedom from discrimination, the right to education and health care, the right to life and the right to a fair trial, among others.

Human rights are not unlimited or absolute. They are subject to the justifications of public policy, the laws that govern the state, and other legal or moral frameworks. For example, no one has a right to break the law, even if the law does not necessarily conform to his or her idea of justice or fairness.

History of Human Rights

Human rights have existed since the dawn of mankind, and early cultures, races and civilizations have been enshrined with beliefs and customs that uphold the rights of every human being. The ancient Greeks for example, were the first to think about the concept of human rights, as evidenced in their beliefs about democracy, liberty, and justice.

In the 17th century, Hugo Grotius argued in his book The Law of War and Peace that there are certain inviolable rules of conduct that should apply among nations and between the rulers and their people. During the Enlightenment, philosopher and political theorist John Locke wrote in his famous Two Treaties of Government that individuals have natural rights to life, liberty, and property and that no amount of force could legitimately take away these rights.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is considered to be the foundation of modern international human rights law. The UDHR was adopted by the United Nations in 1948 and articulates a broad range of human rights and fundamental freedoms that individuals should enjoy, such as:

• The right to freedom from discrimination
• The right to life, liberty and security
• The right to an adequate standard of living
• The right to education
• The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
• The right to freedom of opinion, expression and assembly
• The right to work and to form associations

Conclusion

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that everyone should have, no matter what nationality, sex, ethnicity, or background. They are universal, important, and inalienable rights, and they should be respected, protected and realized by everyone. Human rights are the cornerstone of a just and humane society, and it is our duty as citizens to work together to ensure these rights are enshrined and preserved.