Human rights are fundamental values that everyone possesses, regardless of their citizenship or where they live. They are based on principles like dignity, fairness, equality and respect for others. Human rights are also a central focus of international politics and law. They are monitored and enforced by organisations like the United Nations, non-governmental organisations and national bodies.
For many centuries, the concept of human rights was not widely recognised by world governments. Instead, most countries believed that whoever controlled the territory they occupied had the sovereign right to govern that area. This was commonly known as the principle of state sovereignty, where countries agreed to respect the independence and sovereignty of other states and not interfere in their internal affairs.
But the atrocities of World War II galvanised global opinion and led to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, which established that every person has certain inalienable rights and that these are protected by national and international laws. The UDHR was a major step towards creating a world built on freedom, justice and peace.
In order to truly protect human rights, we need to understand that these rights are not only a set of legal protections but that they are also a responsibility and duty for individuals and governments. This includes understanding that our rights must be exercised responsibly – for example, exercising our right to freedom of speech should not interfere with someone else’s right to privacy. It also involves governments being responsible for ensuring that their citizens have access to the services and resources they need in order to enjoy their rights.
