The concept of human rights – that individuals have certain unalienable rights and freedoms against abuse by the state – is widely accepted. It is supported by international law and institutions – like the United Nations and numerous non-governmental organisations – and enshrined in many national constitutions and laws. However, despite their universal acceptance, there are ongoing arguments over which rights are most important and how to best protect them. These debates can also be framed by perspectives such as cultural relativism, which argue that individual human rights are inappropriate in societies that prioritise a collective identity or that human rights can conflict with certain cultural or traditional practices.
The human rights framework is based on the notion that all people are equal, and that people are fundamentally free and capable of developing their full potential. It is this principle that lies at the heart of every international treaty on human rights. This fundamental concept is central to the idea that all human beings have a right to life, liberty and security of person, which is protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and other internationally recognised human rights treaties and standards.
It is also the foundation of the International Criminal Court, created in 2002, which provides a mechanism to prosecute individuals for crimes against humanity and other war-crimes committed around the world. This is a key step to providing justice for victims who often cannot bring a case before their local courts.
However, the UDHR is not legally binding, which means that states have the option to choose whether or not they will comply with its provisions. It is only when a country ratifies or otherwise accepts the convention that it becomes legally bound to implement its provisions. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as signing or agreeing to it at an international meeting. Alternatively, it can be done by making a reservation or declaration in line with the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which exempts the country from a particular provision of the treaty.
In addition, there are a number of other human rights treaties and bodies that can be consulted in order to provide guidance and support in the implementation of these principles. This includes the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, regional human rights bodies and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, among others.
The protection of human rights is a responsibility that falls on all governments, regardless of their level of development or capacity to act. It is also a responsibility that requires cooperation between states to ensure that the right to life, liberty and security of all is respected. Every time a government disregards these internationally recognised rights, it pays a price – in the form of the loss of lives and in the suffering caused to its citizens. Ultimately, no human being can afford to lose these rights.