Human rights are a fundamental part of the rule of law. These rights can’t be taken for granted and must be protected. In order for people to have a full and satisfying life, they must be able to choose what they want and need. But what are the basic principles of human rights? Let’s explore these in this article. And don’t worry, there’s always room for more! We’ll be discussing some of these ideas in more detail below.
The concept of human rights dates back to the 18th century, when Europe became a nation. In 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Against the backdrop of the Second World War, the Declaration sought to initiate a new era of international relations. This declaration listed a long list of rights, most of which we’ve come to recognize as basic political rights, constructed over the years by American courts. Its goal was to promote international cooperation and peace.
Some of these principles have been derived from the idea that every person has certain fundamental rights. These are distinct from privileges and protect people from harm and allow them to live peacefully. While most of us understand the rights of the individual such as food, shelter, and work, we often fail to recognize the rights of other people. We are often unaware of these basic rights and may even be ignorant of other important rights. They are essential for our peace of mind and our well-being.
Human rights are universal and inalienable, meaning that they apply to all people without distinction. In fact, the standards of human rights are interdependent. Improvements in one human right facilitate the advancement of other people. Deprivation of any human right negatively impacts others. So, progressive realisation of human rights demands immediate action on the part of governments. This requires that governments eliminate discrimination and improve their legal systems. But what if the situation doesn’t improve in the next few decades?
There are many other principles governing human rights, but one of the most innovative is the Universal Periodic Review. This is a systematic, state-driven process that examines all 193 UN member states. It gives each state the chance to present human rights measures in the hope of ensuring equality of treatment. So how do we ensure that we are all treated equally? The answer lies in the UN Convention on Human Rights
The underlying principle of human rights is that everyone has them. No one should be deprived of them. Every human being has these rights, regardless of nationality, race, religion, or any other distinction. Further, all human rights are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. Without one, no one can enjoy their full potential. It is not possible to exercise any one of these rights without affecting the other. This makes it imperative that we continue to protect human rights everywhere.