Human rights are the fundamental standards that people should be able to expect from their societies. They are based on the fact that all humans are equal and deserve dignity from society, regardless of their status, wealth or ethnicity. Human rights are not only important because they protect individuals from abuse by those in power but also because they enable societies to be held accountable for their actions by other countries, organizations and individuals.
The notion of human rights began to receive wider recognition in the 19th century as various issues started to appear on the international agenda, such as slavery and serfdom. The first human rights treaties were then developed, but it was the horrors of World War II that really pushed the issue to centre stage. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted on 10 December 1948, in response to the “barbarous acts” that outraged the conscience of mankind.
It set out a series of rights and freedoms, which are binding upon all governments. These rights cover almost all aspects of life – from the right to life and liberty, to equality and the freedoms of speech, religion and assembly. These rights must be respected by all and, where they are violated, they can be challenged by people who believe they have been harmed.
Human rights can be seen as the foundation for peace, democracy and justice. The idea of human rights has become more popular with the fall of the Soviet Union, and many countries now have their own version of a bill of human rights. Many companies and organisations have their own human rights policies, which they use to guide their decisions and actions.
There are still major challenges for human rights, however. In many parts of the world, women are still not treated equally to men, religious dissenters are persecuted and civil liberties are under threat. In the West, there is a growing concern that human rights are being undermined by new forms of economic and social inequality and increasing xenophobia.
Human rights defenders work to ensure that these core values are upheld, even in the most difficult circumstances. They are not just concerned with the protection of individual people – they also promote a vision of a fairer world in which everyone can live free and enjoy their rights. This requires a consistent and purposeful effort on the part of all. So long as repressive regimes, systems and structures exist, people will need to defend these fundamental values against those who would seek to diminish them. This is why it is important for all of us to understand human rights and support those who fight for them.