Human rights are fundamental to the dignity of each person. They are indivisible and interdependent, meaning that they cannot be fully enjoyed or protected without the enjoyment of other rights. For example, the right to freedom from discrimination – set out in Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) – is an integral part of all other rights, including the right to equality and the right to education. In addition, human rights include a right to security and the right to liberty.
Human rights have been a global concern since the end of World War II, when atrocities committed by some governments galvanised worldwide opinion and support for international law promoting civil liberties, democracy and the rule of law. Today, the vast majority of countries recognise and respect the principles of the UDHR as binding international law. But this system that we rely on to protect people’s lives and dignity from state-sponsored violence is under threat. Every time a government overlooks or rejects these international norms, someone pays a price – in their freedoms and liberties, in their health or livelihood and sometimes even their life.
The idea that each person is born with certain inalienable rights comes from the philosophy of natural rights, developed by philosopher John Locke. The UDHR reformulated and reinforced this principle, asserting that the legitimacy of any government rests on its respect for these natural rights and on the fact that it is accountable to its citizens. This is a very important concept, because it means that governments have no right to deny or limit these rights or to take action against individuals without the consent of the people they govern.
However, human rights also require that each individual fulfil their responsibilities towards other people and the community. This is known as the duty to respect. For example, employers have a responsibility to protect their employees’ human rights by taking steps to prevent sexual harassment and bullying at work and to provide safe and healthy working conditions. They also have a duty to ensure that their business practices do not violate the rights of workers, such as by paying them less than they are entitled to or by failing to take up employment opportunities because of a disability.
Governments also have a duty to cooperate internationally with other states to ensure that human rights are respected. This can include sharing information, co-operating on investigations into allegations of violations and taking steps to address a situation that threatens human rights. It can also include encouraging countries to join international organisations that promote the protection of human rights and ensuring that members comply with international conventions on human rights.
Wealthy countries can and should help the wellbeing of people living in poorer countries, but not by forcing them to adopt western institutions, modes of governance, dispute resolution systems and laws. These approaches are often ineffective and send the message that only some people’s lives matter. They can also undermine the legitimacy of the rules-based order that we all rely on to keep us safe.