The term ‘human rights’ describes those fundamental freedoms and rights that every individual has, regardless of whether or not they are a member of a particular nation or community. They include the right to life, liberty and security of person, freedom from oppression and discrimination, equality before the law and a safe and secure environment. These rights are established in international treaties and conventions and have been enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is the most widely-recognised body of global human rights law.
The idea of human rights grew in the 19th and 20th centuries as people became more aware of how they were treated and as new issues arose as a result of the effects of early industrialisation and globalisation. These included slavery, serfdom, brutal working conditions and child labour, which were all considered human rights issues. Many of these were raised at the international level for the first time with the atrocities that took place during World War II. This global event galvanised worldwide opinion and caused people to realise that human rights were issues which were not only of concern to individuals, but to the whole world.
It is generally accepted that a person’s human rights are inherent to their personhood, meaning they cannot be lost or forfeited, although they can sometimes be restricted in certain circumstances, for example, in cases of terrorism or national emergencies. It is also commonly accepted that a person’s human rights must be respected by other people and governments. This is known as the’reciprocity’ of human rights.
However, some experts have argued that there is a ‘third generation’ of human rights which are collective in nature, including the right to sustainable development and the right to peace. These rights are based on the principle of solidarity and require countries to respect one another’s sovereignty and not interfere in each other’s internal affairs.
Human rights issues are constantly on the agenda of international organisations such as the United Nations (UN) and the European Union. There are also numerous NGOs which focus on specific human rights issues, including the rights of children, women, minorities and indigenous peoples. These organisations often conduct research and campaigning on human rights issues and provide a platform for individuals and groups who may otherwise have no voice. They also work in partnership with the UN to raise awareness and promote human rights. They also work closely with the media to highlight human rights abuses and violations. Lastly, they also help to train individuals and institutions on human rights issues. This is a key element in the prevention of human rights abuses. Educating employees on human rights issues will help them to be more alert to situations where a violation is taking place, and it will encourage them to speak up rather than tolerate or ignore abuses. This can help to improve the quality of a company’s culture and reduce instances of discrimination and harassment in the workplace.