Human rights are the set of fundamental values that we all share. They are enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the General Assembly in 1948 to protect people from harm and exploitation.
The UDHR defines 30 different categories and principles of rights, from economic, social and cultural rights to freedom of expression, privacy and access to asylum. It was drafted by representatives from all parts of the world and in diverse cultures, religions, political systems and economic conditions.
These rights are based on the premise that everyone has inherent dignity, and that all human beings have the right to be free from discrimination. Discrimination is defined as being treated differently because of your race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, language, national or social origin, disability or property.
While these rights can be difficult to apply, they provide a framework for people to fight against injustice and abuse. They allow people to express their opinions and beliefs, to speak out against discrimination, to get justice when they are being harmed or abused, and to defend themselves against those who would use violence against them.
They also allow people to practice their religion freely, without fear of reprisal or persecution. This is a vital right, especially for those who are persecuted or forced to live in places where they can’t follow their beliefs.
One of the most important ways that we protect human rights is through government and international law. These laws set out rules and standards about how governments can treat their citizens. These laws are backed up by human rights institutions, such as the UN.
As these laws are ratified and implemented by governments, they can help to ensure that governments don’t violate human rights. If a country doesn’t comply with these laws, it could face punishment from the International Court of Justice or other courts.
The international legal system is not perfect and human rights violations still happen. But we can do a lot to try and stop them.
It is also important to make it easier for people to complain about injustice. That can be done through improved judicial complaints systems or through non-governmental organizations that help people to make their case.
For instance, the Human Rights Campaign helps people file lawsuits when they are being harmed or a crime has been committed against them. They also organize protests and advocacy campaigns, and they support a range of other efforts to make sure that the rights of people are protected.
Despite the best efforts of international institutions and activists, many countries are failing to protect their citizens’ rights. Among those that have fallen short of the mark are China, Russia, Iran and many others.
In the past few years, however, human rights have gained more and more attention in the West. The presidents of the United States have increasingly used human rights rhetoric and have taken steps to protect them internationally.