Human rights are the fundamental values and freedoms that belong to every person. They include civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights that we hold by virtue of our humanity and are enshrined in international law. They are inherent and inalienable, meaning that we cannot voluntarily give them up or have them taken away from us. They are indivisible, and the realization of one right depends wholly or in part on the realization of other rights.
Human rights were formulated in the aftermath of World War II, and have become an integral part of our shared global identity. However, they are not a new invention – ideas about the dignity and value of every person have long been central to all societies.
Governments, NGOs and businesses around the world have made commitments to human rights in a range of areas – from advancing the rights of women and children to tackling climate change. This year, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights conducted a year-long commemoration, the Human Rights Initiative, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and encourage new pledges on key human rights issues.
Despite their moral basis, there are still obstacles to realising human rights. The first is the fact that some governments, politicians or candidates, companies or organisations use the language of human rights without a genuine commitment to the objectives. This may be because of an impoverished understanding of what human rights standards require, or a desire to misrepresent themselves by using the term ‘human rights’ to gain political or commercial advantage.
Another obstacle is the practice of transactional diplomacy, whereby countries sacrifice their commitment to human rights to achieve short-term trade or security benefits. This practice can squander leverage that would otherwise be used to exert pressure on rights-violating governments, and it can embolden them to escalate their violations.
While there are many ways that people can make a difference for human rights, the most important thing is to ensure that the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights becomes an integral part of all our lives. This can be achieved by ensuring that it is widely read, cited and discussed, both domestically and internationally. It is also vital that we continue to raise awareness about the importance of human rights and hold those in power accountable for their actions.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was formally adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948. It sets out thirty articles delineating universal and inalienable human rights that everyone is entitled to, regardless of their nationality, gender, race, religion or socio-economic status.
A number of regional human rights bodies have been established since the adoption of the Universal Declaration. These have the added benefit of being closer to the people they are supposed to protect, allowing them to better identify local challenges and solutions. This approach is a critical complement to the work of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which has global responsibilities and reach.