The term human rights refers to the fundamental freedoms and entitlements that every person is born with. These rights are inherent in the dignity of each individual and can never be taken away from a person, though they may be restricted under certain circumstances. They are universal, inalienable and interdependent.
The concept of human rights has its roots in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, where the idea that a person was naturally free, equal, and independent came to be widely accepted. In the 19th and 20th centuries, this concept of human rights was brought to the international stage through a series of international laws and treaties aimed at ending slavery, colonialism, discrimination, war, brutal working conditions, and other human rights abuses.
The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the newly established United Nations, laid out a common understanding of everyone’s rights and set out a foundation for a world built on freedom, justice, and peace. It was the first time that all people were recognized as having the same inalienable human rights.
While governments have a primary responsibility to respect and protect human rights, it is important that individuals also play a role in this endeavor. One way to promote human rights is by contacting government officials and urging them to take action on pressing issues. Another is by participating in peaceful protests, which have been instrumental in many major social changes throughout history. However, it is crucial to be aware of the dangers of protest and take steps to remain safe.
Human rights activists can also make use of the UN’s many investigative bodies, which are charged with monitoring alleged human rights violations and taking preventive actions to prevent these violations in the future. The most well-known of these is the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which consists of a number of different commissions of inquiry and fact-finding missions that work to protect the basic human rights of people around the world.
There are also a number of other ways to report on human rights violations, most commonly through the UPR process. This is an internal review procedure within the HR Council where each member state is asked to evaluate their record in upholding human rights and identifying any areas where improvement is needed. This is a process that is facilitated by the Council’s numerous Special Mandate holders who are charged with ensuring that all countries are treated fairly.
Human rights advocates face a variety of obstacles in realising their goals. One challenge is that some governments, political parties or candidates, and social and economic actors often use the language of human rights without a clear commitment to its goals. This can be due to a lack of understanding of the principles or it can be a deliberate attempt to mislead others into thinking they are respecting human rights standards. Regardless of the reason, this practice is often criticised as a double standard.