Human rights are a foundation that we rely on to protect people globally from oppressive governments and other powerful interests. When government officials ignore or reject these universally accepted principles, people pay the price – in their freedoms and liberties, their health or livelihoods and, at times, even their lives.
Despite setbacks, progress on protecting people’s human rights has been enormous in the second half of the 20th century. Women now have the right to vote and sit in parliament around the world, and more countries allow same-sex marriage and adoption. But human rights abuses persist. Governments often prioritize immediate trade and security gains over the long-term benefits of respecting and defending human rights. And those who perpetrate violations are rarely held accountable.
The idea that all humans are born free and equal in dignity and worth is a fundamental belief shared by almost every culture in the world, and by all major religions. This belief is the foundation for international human rights law, as reflected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by all UN member states in 1948. The UDHR and the work that went into it were inspired by the teachings of Confucius, who said, “Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself.”
One of the core principles of human rights is that they are universal – a person’s human rights apply regardless of their social status, wealth or power. They also are indivisible, meaning that the denial of any human right has an indirect impact on all other rights. The UDHR lists civil and political, economic, cultural, and social rights.
Many different theories explain how and why human rights became part of our social expectations. For example, some scholars argue that they codify moral behavior rooted in our biological and social evolution. Others say that they are a result of natural law, stemming from different philosophical or religious traditions. Still others point to the role of government, asserting that governments should respect and defend human rights.
The most important way that you can support the international system of human rights is to hold your own country’s government accountable for upholding these principles. This means contacting officials by email, letter or phone, and urging them to take action when their country violates human rights. Remember to be factual and polite when you contact government officials, and don’t use emotional language. Lastly, make sure to offer ways that you can help – for instance, offering to organize events or bring in speakers on human rights issues. Make sure your group is well-informed by keeping up to date on Amnesty’s campaign information, films and speakers. Finally, have regular meetings to discuss human rights issues and how your group can support the human rights movement. These meetings can be inspiring and motivating to everyone in the group.