A human right is the legal protection that people have against infringements of their freedom, equality or dignity by a government, company or other organisation. It is a principle set out in international law, and applies to every person on the planet. This means that governments and other organisations must respect people’s rights, and it is their duty to do so. If they fail to do this, they can be held accountable.
People’s human rights can be breached in a number of ways, for example by refusing someone life-saving treatment, or by not allowing them to visit their family in hospital. Human rights can also be breached by governments and other organisations failing to act – for example, by not protecting you when your life is in danger.
There are many different types of human rights, but they all boil down to the fundamental belief that each person is free and equal, and has a right not to be arbitrarily subjected to another’s political power without their consent. This basic idea has been supported by nearly all cultures, most civilised societies and all major religions. It is also a core element of international humanitarian law, which was created after the Second World War and recognises that, in all circumstances, we should not be allowed to destroy each other.
One of the most important things to know about human rights is that they are indivisible. This means that your human rights are all connected – for example, it would be a violation of your right to freedom of speech if you were prevented from speaking out against a government policy that you believe is wrong. But at the same time, some human rights – for example, the right to live in safety – can be suspended or derogated from in specific circumstances, for example if you are arrested on suspicion of a serious crime.
The United Nations (UN) Declaration on Human Rights of 1948 was a landmark document in the development of human rights, and recognised that there are certain basic principles that should apply globally. The UDHR and its two Optional Protocols, as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, form the so-called International Bill of Human Rights.
It was drafted by representatives of a number of countries and regions, which meant that it reflected the differing views of different people around the world. It was the first time that there had been a universally agreed statement of human rights, which recognised that different people have different needs but all deserve to be treated equally.
There are a number of organisations that are dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights. Some, like Amnesty International, work at a global level by monitoring and bringing to light human rights violations and abuses, while others focus on particular groups of people such as women, children or indigenous peoples. These bodies are all essential to the advancement of human rights.