human rights and duties essay

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Essay on Human Rights: Samples in 500 and 1500

• Updated on  
• Dec 9, 2023

Essay writing is an integral part of the school curriculum and various academic and competitive exams like IELTS , TOEFL , SAT , UPSC , etc. It is designed to test your command of the English language and how well you can gather your thoughts and present them in a structure with a flow. To master your ability to write an essay, you must read as much as possible and practise on any given topic. This blog brings you a detailed guide on how to write an essay on Human Rights , with useful essay samples on Human rights.

This Blog Includes:

The basic human rights, 200 words essay on human rights, 500 words essay on human rights, 500+ words essay on human rights in india, 1500 words essay on human rights, importance of human rights, essay on human rights pdf.

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Also Read: 1-Minute Speech on Human Rights for Students

What are Human Rights

Human rights mark everyone as free and equal, irrespective of age, gender, caste, creed, religion and nationality. The United Nations adopted human rights in light of the atrocities people faced during the Second World War. On the 10th of December 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Its adoption led to the recognition of human rights as the foundation for freedom, justice and peace for every individual. Although it’s not legally binding, most nations have incorporated these human rights into their constitutions and domestic legal frameworks. Human rights safeguard us from discrimination and guarantee that our most basic needs are protected.

Did you know that the 10th of December is celebrated as Human Rights Day ?

Before we move on to the essays on human rights, let’s check out the basics of what they are.

Also Read: What are Human Rights?

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Here is a 200-word short sample essay on basic Human Rights.

Human rights are a set of rights given to every human being regardless of their gender, caste, creed, religion, nation, location or economic status. These are said to be moral principles that illustrate certain standards of human behaviour. Protected by law , these rights are applicable everywhere and at any time. Basic human rights include the right to life, right to a fair trial, right to remedy by a competent tribunal, right to liberty and personal security, right to own property, right to education, right of peaceful assembly and association, right to marriage and family, right to nationality and freedom to change it, freedom of speech, freedom from discrimination, freedom from slavery, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of movement, right of opinion and information, right to adequate living standard and freedom from interference with privacy, family, home and correspondence.

Also Read: Law Courses

Check out this 500-word long essay on Human Rights.

Every person has dignity and value. One of the ways that we recognise the fundamental worth of every person is by acknowledging and respecting their human rights. Human rights are a set of principles concerned with equality and fairness. They recognise our freedom to make choices about our lives and develop our potential as human beings. They are about living a life free from fear, harassment or discrimination.

Human rights can broadly be defined as the basic rights that people worldwide have agreed are essential. These include the right to life, the right to a fair trial, freedom from torture and other cruel and inhuman treatment, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to health, education and an adequate standard of living. These human rights are the same for all people everywhere – men and women, young and old, rich and poor, regardless of our background, where we live, what we think or believe. This basic property is what makes human rights’ universal’.

Human rights connect us all through a shared set of rights and responsibilities. People’s ability to enjoy their human rights depends on other people respecting those rights. This means that human rights involve responsibility and duties towards other people and the community. Individuals have a responsibility to ensure that they exercise their rights with consideration for the rights of others. For example, when someone uses their right to freedom of speech, they should do so without interfering with someone else’s right to privacy.

Governments have a particular responsibility to ensure that people can enjoy their rights. They must establish and maintain laws and services that enable people to enjoy a life in which their rights are respected and protected. For example, the right to education says that everyone is entitled to a good education. Therefore, governments must provide good quality education facilities and services to their people. If the government fails to respect or protect their basic human rights, people can take it into account.

Values of tolerance, equality and respect can help reduce friction within society. Putting human rights ideas into practice can help us create the kind of society we want to live in. There has been tremendous growth in how we think about and apply human rights ideas in recent decades. This growth has had many positive results – knowledge about human rights can empower individuals and offer solutions for specific problems.

Human rights are an important part of how people interact with others at all levels of society – in the family, the community, school, workplace, politics and international relations. Therefore, people everywhere must strive to understand what human rights are. When people better understand human rights, it is easier for them to promote justice and the well-being of society. 

Also Read: Important Articles in Indian Constitution

Here is a human rights essay focused on India.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. It has been rightly proclaimed in the American Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Created with certain unalienable rights….” Similarly, the Indian Constitution has ensured and enshrined Fundamental rights for all citizens irrespective of caste, creed, religion, colour, sex or nationality. These basic rights, commonly known as human rights, are recognised the world over as basic rights with which every individual is born.

In recognition of human rights, “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was made on the 10th of December, 1948. This declaration is the basic instrument of human rights. Even though this declaration has no legal bindings and authority, it forms the basis of all laws on human rights. The necessity of formulating laws to protect human rights is now being felt all over the world. According to social thinkers, the issue of human rights became very important after World War II concluded. It is important for social stability both at the national and international levels. Wherever there is a breach of human rights, there is conflict at one level or the other.

Given the increasing importance of the subject, it becomes necessary that educational institutions recognise the subject of human rights as an independent discipline. The course contents and curriculum of the discipline of human rights may vary according to the nature and circumstances of a particular institution. Still, generally, it should include the rights of a child, rights of minorities, rights of the needy and the disabled, right to live, convention on women, trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation etc.

Since the formation of the United Nations , the promotion and protection of human rights have been its main focus. The United Nations has created a wide range of mechanisms for monitoring human rights violations. The conventional mechanisms include treaties and organisations, U.N. special reporters, representatives and experts and working groups. Asian countries like China argue in favour of collective rights. According to Chinese thinkers, European countries lay stress upon individual rights and values while Asian countries esteem collective rights and obligations to the family and society as a whole.

With the freedom movement the world over after World War II, the end of colonisation also ended the policy of apartheid and thereby the most aggressive violation of human rights. With the spread of education, women are asserting their rights. Women’s movements play an important role in spreading the message of human rights. They are fighting for their rights and supporting the struggle for human rights of other weaker and deprived sections like bonded labour, child labour, landless labour, unemployed persons, Dalits and elderly people.

Unfortunately, violation of human rights continues in most parts of the world. Ethnic cleansing and genocide can still be seen in several parts of the world. Large sections of the world population are deprived of the necessities of life i.e. food, shelter and security of life. Right to minimum basic needs viz. Work, health care, education and shelter are denied to them. These deprivations amount to the negation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Also Read: Human Rights Courses

Check out this detailed 1500-word essay on human rights.

The human right to live and exist, the right to equality, including equality before the law, non-discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, and equality of opportunity in matters of employment, the right to freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, the right to practice any profession or occupation, the right against exploitation, prohibiting all forms of forced labour, child labour and trafficking in human beings, the right to freedom of conscience, practice and propagation of religion and the right to legal remedies for enforcement of the above are basic human rights. These rights and freedoms are the very foundations of democracy.

Obviously, in a democracy, the people enjoy the maximum number of freedoms and rights. Besides these are political rights, which include the right to contest an election and vote freely for a candidate of one’s choice. Human rights are a benchmark of a developed and civilised society. But rights cannot exist in a vacuum. They have their corresponding duties. Rights and duties are the two aspects of the same coin.

Liberty never means license. Rights presuppose the rule of law, where everyone in the society follows a code of conduct and behaviour for the good of all. It is the sense of duty and tolerance that gives meaning to rights. Rights have their basis in the ‘live and let live’ principle. For example, my right to speech and expression involves my duty to allow others to enjoy the same freedom of speech and expression. Rights and duties are inextricably interlinked and interdependent. A perfect balance is to be maintained between the two. Whenever there is an imbalance, there is chaos.

A sense of tolerance, propriety and adjustment is a must to enjoy rights and freedom. Human life sans basic freedom and rights is meaningless. Freedom is the most precious possession without which life would become intolerable, a mere abject and slavish existence. In this context, Milton’s famous and oft-quoted lines from his Paradise Lost come to mind: “To reign is worth ambition though in hell/Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.”

However, liberty cannot survive without its corresponding obligations and duties. An individual is a part of society in which he enjoys certain rights and freedom only because of the fulfilment of certain duties and obligations towards others. Thus, freedom is based on mutual respect’s rights. A fine balance must be maintained between the two, or there will be anarchy and bloodshed. Therefore, human rights can best be preserved and protected in a society steeped in morality, discipline and social order.

Violation of human rights is most common in totalitarian and despotic states. In the theocratic states, there is much persecution, and violation in the name of religion and the minorities suffer the most. Even in democracies, there is widespread violation and infringement of human rights and freedom. The women, children and the weaker sections of society are victims of these transgressions and violence.

The U.N. Commission on Human Rights’ main concern is to protect and promote human rights and freedom in the world’s nations. In its various sessions held from time to time in Geneva, it adopts various measures to encourage worldwide observations of these basic human rights and freedom. It calls on its member states to furnish information regarding measures that comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights whenever there is a complaint of a violation of these rights. In addition, it reviews human rights situations in various countries and initiates remedial measures when required.

The U.N. Commission was much concerned and dismayed at the apartheid being practised in South Africa till recently. The Secretary-General then declared, “The United Nations cannot tolerate apartheid. It is a legalised system of racial discrimination, violating the most basic human rights in South Africa. It contradicts the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter. That is why over the last forty years, my predecessors and I have urged the Government of South Africa to dismantle it.”

Now, although apartheid is no longer practised in that country, other forms of apartheid are being blatantly practised worldwide. For example, sex apartheid is most rampant. Women are subject to abuse and exploitation. They are not treated equally and get less pay than their male counterparts for the same jobs. In employment, promotions, possession of property etc., they are most discriminated against. Similarly, the rights of children are not observed properly. They are forced to work hard in very dangerous situations, sexually assaulted and exploited, sold and bonded for labour.

The Commission found that religious persecution, torture, summary executions without judicial trials, intolerance, slavery-like practices, kidnapping, political disappearance, etc., are being practised even in the so-called advanced countries and societies. The continued acts of extreme violence, terrorism and extremism in various parts of the world like Pakistan, India, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Somalia, Algeria, Lebanon, Chile, China, and Myanmar, etc., by the governments, terrorists, religious fundamentalists, and mafia outfits, etc., is a matter of grave concern for the entire human race.

Violation of freedom and rights by terrorist groups backed by states is one of the most difficult problems society faces. For example, Pakistan has been openly collaborating with various terrorist groups, indulging in extreme violence in India and other countries. In this regard the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva adopted a significant resolution, which was co-sponsored by India, focusing on gross violation of human rights perpetrated by state-backed terrorist groups.

The resolution expressed its solidarity with the victims of terrorism and proposed that a U.N. Fund for victims of terrorism be established soon. The Indian delegation recalled that according to the Vienna Declaration, terrorism is nothing but the destruction of human rights. It shows total disregard for the lives of innocent men, women and children. The delegation further argued that terrorism cannot be treated as a mere crime because it is systematic and widespread in its killing of civilians.

Violation of human rights, whether by states, terrorists, separatist groups, armed fundamentalists or extremists, is condemnable. Regardless of the motivation, such acts should be condemned categorically in all forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomever they are committed, as acts of aggression aimed at destroying human rights, fundamental freedom and democracy. The Indian delegation also underlined concerns about the growing connection between terrorist groups and the consequent commission of serious crimes. These include rape, torture, arson, looting, murder, kidnappings, blasts, and extortion, etc.

Violation of human rights and freedom gives rise to alienation, dissatisfaction, frustration and acts of terrorism. Governments run by ambitious and self-seeking people often use repressive measures and find violence and terror an effective means of control. However, state terrorism, violence, and human freedom transgressions are very dangerous strategies. This has been the background of all revolutions in the world. Whenever there is systematic and widespread state persecution and violation of human rights, rebellion and revolution have taken place. The French, American, Russian and Chinese Revolutions are glowing examples of human history.

The first war of India’s Independence in 1857 resulted from long and systematic oppression of the Indian masses. The rapidly increasing discontent, frustration and alienation with British rule gave rise to strong national feelings and demand for political privileges and rights. Ultimately the Indian people, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, made the British leave India, setting the country free and independent.

Human rights and freedom ought to be preserved at all costs. Their curtailment degrades human life. The political needs of a country may reshape Human rights, but they should not be completely distorted. Tyranny, regimentation, etc., are inimical of humanity and should be resisted effectively and united. The sanctity of human values, freedom and rights must be preserved and protected. Human Rights Commissions should be established in all countries to take care of human freedom and rights. In cases of violation of human rights, affected individuals should be properly compensated, and it should be ensured that these do not take place in future.

These commissions can become effective instruments in percolating the sensitivity to human rights down to the lowest levels of governments and administrations. The formation of the National Human Rights Commission in October 1993 in India is commendable and should be followed by other countries.

Also Read: Law Courses in India

Human rights are of utmost importance to seek basic equality and human dignity. Human rights ensure that the basic needs of every human are met. They protect vulnerable groups from discrimination and abuse, allow people to stand up for themselves, and follow any religion without fear and give them the freedom to express their thoughts freely. In addition, they grant people access to basic education and equal work opportunities. Thus implementing these rights is crucial to ensure freedom, peace and safety.

Human Rights Day is annually celebrated on the 10th of December.

Human Rights Day is celebrated to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UNGA in 1948.

Some of the common Human Rights are the right to life and liberty, freedom of opinion and expression, freedom from slavery and torture and the right to work and education.

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• Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 ( General Assembly resolution 217 A ) as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into over 500 languages . The UDHR is widely recognized as having inspired, and paved the way for, the adoption of more than seventy human rights treaties, applied today on a permanent basis at global and regional levels (all containing references to it in their preambles). 

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, therefore,

The General Assembly,

Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction. 

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

• Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
• No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

• Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
• Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
• Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
• This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
• Everyone has the right to a nationality.
• No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
• Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
• Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
• The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
• Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
• No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

• Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
• No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
• Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
• Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
• The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

• Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
• Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
• Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
• Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

• Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
• Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
• Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
• Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
• Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
• Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
• Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

• Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
• In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
• These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

• Text of the Declaration
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2023: UDHR turns 75

What is the Declaration of Human Rights? Narrated by Morgan Freeman.

UN digital ambassador Elyx animates the UDHR

To mark the 75th anniversary of the UDHR in December 2023, the United Nations has partnered once again with French digital artist YAK (Yacine Ait Kaci) – whose illustrated character Elyx is the first digital ambassador of the United Nations – on an animated version of the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

UDHR Illustrated

Read the Illustrated edition of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

UDHR in 80+ languages

Watch and listen to people around the world reading articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in more than 80 languages.

Women Who Shaped the Declaration

Women delegates from various countries played a key role in getting women’s rights included in the Declaration. Hansa Mehta of India (standing above Eleanor Roosevelt) is widely credited with changing the phrase "All men are born free and equal" to "All human beings are born free and equal" in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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Human Rights Essay - 100, 200, 500 Words

• Essay on Human Rights -

Human rights are defined as the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death and they apply regardless of where you are from, what you believe or how you can choose to live your own life.

• 100 Word Essay on Human Rights

Human rights are the basic fundamental rights that we, as humans, are entitled to and mark everyone as free and equal, irrespective of their age, gender, caste, creed, religion and nationality. The United Nations adopted human rights in light of the atrocities people faced during the second world war. UDHR adoption led to recognising human rights as the foundation for freedom, justice and peace for every individual. Although it’s not legally binding, most nations have incorporated these human rights into their constitutions and domestic legal frameworks and guarantee that our most basic needs are to be protected.

200 Word Essay on Human Rights

500 word essay on human rights.

The Basic Human Rights are given below-

Human Rights to Life

Human Right to Equal Treatment

Human Right to Privacy

Human Right to Marry

Human Right to Work

Human Right to Education

Human Right to Social Services

Human rights are considered a set of rights which is given to every human being regardless of gender, caste, creed, religion, nation, location or economic status. These rights are said to be moral principles that illustrate certain standards of human behaviour. Protected by law, human rights are applicable everywhere and at any time. Basic human rights mostly include the right to life, right to a fair trial, right to remedy by a competent tribunal, right to liberty and personal security, right to own their property, right to education, right to peaceful assembly and association, right to marriage, right to nationality and freedom to change it, freedom of speech, freedom from discrimination, freedom from slavery, freedom of their thought, conscience and their religion, freedom of movement, right of opinion and information, right to adequate living standard and freedom from interference with privacy, family, home and correspondence and so on.

While these human rights are protected by law, many of these are still violated by people for different reasons and some of these rights are even violated by the state. The United Nations committees (UNC) have been formed in order to ensure that every individual enjoys these basic rights. Governments of different countries and many non-government organizations have also been formed to monitor and protect these human rights.

Every person has their own dignity and value and we can recognise the fundamental worth of every person by acknowledging them and most importantly respecting their human rights. Human rights are a set of rules or principles that are concerned with equality and fairness and they can recognise our freedom to make choices about our lives and develop our potential as human beings. Human rights are about living a life free from fear, harassment and discrimination.

Human rights always connect us all through a shared set of rights and responsibilities. People’s ability to enjoy their human rights depends on other people respecting those rights, this means that human rights involve responsibility and duties towards other people and the community worldwide. Individuals have a responsibility to ensure that they can exercise their rights with consideration for the rights of others.

Governments must have a particular responsibility to ensure that people can enjoy their rights and they must establish and maintain laws and services that enable people to enjoy a life in which their rights are respected and protected with respect.

Human rights are a vital part of how people interact with others at all levels of society like in the family, the community, school, workplace, politics and international relations, etc. Hence, it is important that people everywhere strive to understand what human rights are and when people better understand human rights, it is easier for them to promote justice and the well-being of society.

Need For Human Rights

Human rights are a set of principles and values that are considered essential for the dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, or any other status. The need for human rights stems from the recognition that all human beings are entitled to certain fundamental freedoms and protections that are necessary for their well-being, autonomy, and happiness.

Some of the reasons why we need human rights include:

Protection against discrimination and inequality: Human rights ensure that everyone is treated equally and protected against discrimination, regardless of their background.

Ensuring personal freedom and autonomy: Human rights guarantee individuals the right to life, liberty, and security, allowing them to make decisions about their own lives and pursue their own goals and aspirations.

Providing basic needs and necessities: Human rights also ensure that individuals have access to basic needs such as food, shelter, health care, and education.

Promoting human dignity: Human rights uphold the dignity and worth of each person, recognizing that every individual has inherent value and deserves to be treated with respect.

Ensuring accountability and justice: Human rights provide a framework for holding governments and other actors accountable for their actions, and for ensuring that justice is served in cases of human rights violations.

Overall, human rights are an important component of a fair and just society, and are essential for ensuring that every person is able to live with dignity, security, and freedom. Human rights are essential for ensuring dignity, equality, and freedom for all individuals. They protect against discrimination, ensure basic needs and necessities, promote personal autonomy, and provide accountability and justice in cases of violations.

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Rights, Duties, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 75

The concept of rights is not a modern innovation springing from an ideology of radical individualism and opposed to the common good.

Rights have gone off the rails. The anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a fitting occasion to consider how they were derailed and how they may be placed back on track. The Declaration contains both the source of the problem and the intellectual resources to fix it. Crafted amidst the echoes of a classical jurisprudential tradition that associated rights with just action, the Declaration rests partly on a solid foundation of natural justice. But it was also built amidst the optimistic obsessions of a modern time and its footings awkwardly reach over looser soil.

Modern Rights Talk

Rather than directing us to reason together and act justly toward each other, contemporary “rights talk” (the term that Harvard emerita professor Mary Ann Glendon influentially used to describe what now passes for civic discourse ) directs us to shut up and get on board with elite social assumptions. Many assertions of human rights circulating today are in fact mere assertions of desire. Not all desires count equally. Rational desires for the good, the true, and the beautiful are minimized. The human rights industry privileges the appetites of adults over the needs of children, immediate fears over enduring institutions, and the preoccupations of myopic experts over practical wisdom.

That is not the only problem. Our rights commissars also equate contingent entitlements with true human rights. Entitlements to high-paying jobs and Internet access are placed on the same rhetorical and jurisprudential level as universal rights not to be murdered and enslaved. Supreme Court justices and their ardent admirers in the press, academy, and bar use the same words to describe legal immunities for abortionists which thoughtful jurists use to describe the right not to be killed intentionally and the dignity of republican self-government . This inflation of contingent entitlements devalues true human rights.

True Rights Are Reasons for Action

The problem is not with rights. The concept of rights is not a modern innovation springing from an ideology of radical individualism and opposed to the common good, as some conservatives have mistakenly charged . For centuries, our jurisprudence identified rights as the reasons we have to act justly toward other people. To read Cicero , Justinian , William Blackstone , James Wilson , Robert Jackson , and John Finnis is to be immersed in a jurisprudential tradition in which rights function to direct our practical reasoning toward the ends of natural and legal justice.

A true right is a type of what moral and legal philosophers call reasons for action . A right is an especially binding and conclusive reason to act or refrain from acting in some particular way toward some particular person. The point of view from which rights have meaning is that of the duty bearer, the person who is obligated to do what is right. From that perspective—call it the practical point of view —we can distinguish between genuine human rights and contingent imposters. True human rights tell us what we owe to each other, what we must in justice do and refrain from doing, and to whom we owe our various duties.

Rights correlate with and identify the content of duties that persons owe to other persons. To take a simple example, suppose that we make a contract: I will pay you $5 for a turkey sandwich. If you perform the contract by delivering a sandwich to me then you now have a right to be paid $5 by me, which is to say that I have a duty to pay $5 to you.

Not all rights are that particular. Rights may be reasons of either natural justice—natural rights—or legal justice—legal rights. Rights of natural justice are the same for everyone in all circumstances. The rights not to be murdered, slandered, maimed, tortured, or enslaved are all examples of natural rights. Every human being has these rights.

Some natural rights are universal also for those who must obey them. Our duties to honor the absolute, natural rights of others are not contingent upon our circumstances, our relationships, or our prior promises and commitments. Because such rights always correlate with duties to refrain from committing certain actions—duties of abstention—all of us can honor and obey natural rights simply by doing nothing.

Nor are natural rights contingent on law. Everyone has the natural right not to be slandered or libeled even in the United States, whose Supreme Court forbids states to enforce the common law of defamation. Everyone has the right not to be enslaved even in states that tolerate slavery.

The Universal Declaration contains many apt expressions of true human rights. If we will attend to the juristic tradition that gave us its best features then we can again use rights to achieve justice in our communities.

Rights in the Universal Declaration

Many provisions of the Universal Declaration reflect this classical conception of human rights as universal reasons for action.

• Article 4: “No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.”

That is to say that every person bears a duty not to enslave any other person.

• Article 5: “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”

That is to say that every person bears a duty not to torture any other person.

Notice that the duties that correlate with those universal rights are duties to refrain from action. All truly universal rights correlate with duties of abstention because only duties not to act can be owed by all persons to all persons in all circumstances. By contrast, duties to provide some good or benefit to another person are always contingent on the availability of time and resources; the lack of prior, competing obligations; consistency with other legal duties; and much else.

What Went Wrong?

Modern rights discourse first went wrong when it began placing entitlements to desirable things on the same jurisprudential track as true human rights. Note that in my earlier example your right to $5 was contingent on our contract and your performance. You have no right to collect $5 in the abstract. You may desire, long for, even desperately need $5. You may have plans to spend the money on something truly good. But the desirability or value of the money does not alone justify its assertion as a right against any person or community of persons. You must prove a legal right.

In contrast to natural rights, legal rights and other conventional entitlements are not the same for everyone, everywhere, in all circumstances. Because most practical problems can be solved in a variety of ways consistent with natural reason, and because most solutions are contingent upon a host of particular circumstances and facts on the ground, rights to have good things must be made particular and concrete by some coordinated human action or institution, such as custom, promise, or law.

Modern rights discourse takes a shortcut past legal rights. It stipulates the desirability of some end and then confers on it the status of a human right. This does not move practical reasoning toward just conclusions. Rather, it detours practical reasoning toward politically- and culturally-privileged ends, always at the expense of other human goods, and usually to the injury of law.

Unfortunately, the Universal Declaration contains some assertions of this mistaken sort. For example, Article 15 declares, “Everyone has the right to a nationality.” To adopt the practical point of view is to see that the statement is obviously false. Imagine a group of people living in primitive conditions on a remote island who have no national identity, no national conventions, and no institutions that function like a state. Who has a duty to give them a nationality? By what means? By what authority? There are no universal answers to such questions.

In this way, the Universal Declaration started modern rights discourse down a wrong track. The Declaration went further off course by reversing the practical perspective of rights from the acting person to the right bearer. Alongside true natural rights such as the duty of the state to protect the natural family (Article 16) and the duty never to compel any person to belong to an association (Article 20), the Declaration lists contingent entitlements such as rights to “social security” (Article 22) and “protection against unemployment” (Article 23).

Demands for desirable ends as rights trade on the prestige of natural rights. The assertion of a good thing as a human right makes the demand look more universally justified than it is. Every person has desires, and many of those desires are rational, oriented toward good ends. That is what the so-called rights of education and universal healthcare have in common with true natural rights, such as the rights not to be killed and enslaved. But that is all that they have in common. The verbal formula “a right to an education” does not answer any of the practical questions that we must answer if such a right is to have any meaning in our practical deliberations, choices, and action.

Post-modernists made the next wrong move, conflating sub-rational desires with rationally-desirable goods in the prioritization of human rights. In critical theories, rights turn inward to focus on subjective experiences and desires. When the desires of elites require acting unjustly toward politically marginalized human beings, such as unborn babies and religious minorities, the putative champions of human rights clothe unjust acts of wrongdoing in the rhetorical cloak of rights.

The point at which we went off track is also the point from which we can move in the right direction. The Universal Declaration contains many apt expressions of true human rights. If we will attend to the juristic tradition that gave us its best features then we can again use rights to achieve justice in our communities.

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Home » Home » Essay » Essay on human rights (100, 200, 300, & 500 Words)

Essay on human rights (100, 200, 300, & 500 Words)

Essay on human rights (100 words), essay on human rights (200 words), essay on human rights (300 words), essay on human rights 500 words, importance of human rights, protection of individual freedoms, equality and non-discrimination, social justice and accountability, peace and security, historical development of human rights, ancient roots, enlightenment and enlightenment thinkers, universal declaration of human rights (udhr), subsequent international human rights instruments, challenges in securing and promoting human rights, violations and lack of accountability, discrimination and inequality, limited awareness and education, global cooperation and enforcement.

• Human rights are fundamental rights and freedoms that every individual is entitled to, regardless of their nationality, race, gender, religion, or any other status.
• Human rights are important because they safeguard individuals against discrimination, oppression, and abuse, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to lead a life of freedom, dignity, and fairness. They also create a foundation for peace, social justice, and sustainable development.
• Human rights promote equality by prohibiting unfair treatment and discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, or social status. They ensure that all individuals have equal opportunities and access to resources, services, and opportunities, regardless of their background.
• Human rights serve as a tool for social justice by holding governments, institutions, and individuals accountable for their actions. They provide mechanisms for seeking redress in cases of violations, ensuring that those responsible for human rights abuses are held accountable, and victims receive justice.

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Human Duties and the Limits of Human Rights Discourse (Dissertation)

The present study aims to demonstrate the importance of a renewed focus on duty in normative discourse. The dominance of what has been labeled “rights talk” leads to the neglect of duties without corresponding rights (i.e. duties of virtue) and stimulates the proliferation of questionable human rights. In order to remedy these problems, this dissertation argues for the adoption of a duties-based perspective on morality in order to, firstly, salvage duties of virtue, and, secondly, counter the trend of rights proliferation by providing some conceptual clarity concerning rights and duties that will enable us to differentiate between genuine and spurious claims to the status of “right.” The argument for this duties-based perspective is made by elaborately examining two particularly contentious duties, namely our duties to aid the global poor and our duties to the community. These two duties serve as case studies and are explored from the perspective of various disciplines, including human rights law, political theory and moral philosophy. The argument is made that both duties can only be adequately defined and allocated if we adopt the perspective of duties, as the predominant perspective of rights either does not recognize them to be duties at all, or else leaves their content and allocation completely indefinite. The point of this renewed focus on duties is emphatically not to detract anything from the importance of rights. Rather, the duties-based perspective on morality will have a salutary effect on our human rights discourse by distinguishing more strictly between genuine and inauthentic rights. Furthermore, a duties-based approach enlarges the moral playing field, by recognizing both duties of justice and duties of virtue. The latter include such fundamental duties as duties to aid the global poor and civic duties, which function as indispensable complements to the duties prescribed by the sphere of justice.

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The Age of Human Rights Journal

This paper reflects on the possibility of opening new ways of revaluing the role of human responsibilities and duties by establishing a relationship with rights that goes further than a simple correspondence between correlative terms. Approaching the interdependence between the language of rights and the language of duties from an intercultural perspective helps achieve an increasingly broader, but necessarily more complex, consensus. This analysis goes back to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which left duties in the background but showed the incipient presence of an intercultural purpose thanks to the work of UNESCO. The final part of the paper is devoted to those international declarations which delve deeper into this purpose and focus on duties. The aim of these initiatives, which originated with dialogue, is to strengthen those bonds of solidarity that involve assuming responsibilities when faced by the requirements of others that cannot be expressed in terms of enfor...

Fernando Berdion-Del Valle

Using a comprehensive database of global constitutions and original archival materials, this study makes several key findings about the origin, nature, and diffusion of "human duties" - the obligations of individuals that parallel universal human rights. These duties appear in a majority (60%) of the world's written constitutions and are becoming more common over time. They have deep roots in human rights history, and they featured prominently in early drafts of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Duties continue to play a central role in regional human rights regimes, particularly through the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. In addition, this article argues for a renewed focus on human duties in contemporary discussions of human rights theory. We argue, in particular, that human duties highlight the relational quality of human rights. This relational model supports, in turn, a networked model of rights and responsibilties that transcendes traditional political boundaries. Understood in this way, human duties offer a potentially powerful conceptual vocabulary that can help us address transnational legal questions, including the continuing challenge of global climate change.

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Can human rights impose positive duties to act, as well as negative duties constraining action? At first glance there seem to be strong reasons for wishing human rights could impose positive duties – such reasons include the promotion of welfare rights and the positive protection of liberty rights (e.g. police protection against assault). However, any attempt to construct rights-based positive duties threatens to dissolve hallmark features of rights. In this article the duty-properties possessed by uncontroversial rights-based negative duties are comprehensively analysed. Drawing on this analysis, a range of key properties is developed, including ‘regime-level right-holder universality’ and ‘many-to-one directedness’, as well as a ‘centres of pressure’ vision of rights, by which it is argued that positive duties can accord with the keystone commitments of rights-based moral theories. In so doing, a conceptual space for rights-based positive duties is defended.

Christine Straehle

The literature on cosmopolitan justice has yet to address what principles to adopt when duties of global justice and duties of social justice are in conflict. In this paper, I address David Miller’s contention that some may fall into the justice gap since we need to prioritize duties of social justice. I argue that Miller’s analysis depends on three stipulations: the incommensurability of the values underlying duties of social justice and those of global justice; the need to justify duties of justice to their holders; and the need to consider the necessary institutions to realize and implement justice obligations. I argue against the incommensurability clause by showing that both conceptions of justice pursue moral equality as the underlying and commensurate value. Instead, I propose that the currencies of justice we employ in the two contexts of justice are different. Discussing the justifiability clause I agree with the stipulation that we have to justify decisions that affect the realization of justice to those who have to carry the burden of realizing them. This implies, however, that we may have to accept that some prioritize duties of global justice over duties of social justice. If this is the case, it seems as though the state has little recourse to prioritize duties of social justice. Finally discussing Miller’s institutional clause I ask why the justice relevant institutions can only be those of the state. It is plausible to say that in our current world, institutions of humanitarian aid are effective means to satisfy duties of global justice.

Chicago Journal of International Law: Vol. 20: No. 2, Article 15.

Elena Pribytkova

This Article explores global human rights obligations, which form the least elucidated and the most unfulfilled type of extraterritorial obligations. Global obligations represent a key legal tool for empowering the most vulnerable individuals and social groups, promoting social justice, and reducing extreme poverty and inequality worldwide. Despite their importance, global obligations have not yet received adequate legal recognition, regulation, and realization. The Article outlines the main contours of the conception of global obligations. While defending a human rights-based cosmopolitan concept of justice, it addresses issues surrounding the nature, status, content, scope, and hierarchy of moral duties towards non-compatriots and shows under which conditions and to what extent these duties should be recognized as human rights obligations of multiple actors. The Article aims to demonstrate that global obligations are morally justified human rights obligations that bind all members of the international community and require their legal regulation and implementation. It suggests a new classification of global obligations and stresses their significance for the enjoyment of guarantees of relational and distributive justice, as well as for promoting a shift from a state-centered to human-centered global order. It also seeks to uncover the interrelation between philosophical discourse, normative legal order, and legal practice. The Article explains how contemporary theories of global justice can contribute to the justification, conceptualization, allocation, and implementation of global obligations. It translates philosophical ideas into the language of law and incorporates empirical findings in relation to global obligations. At the same time, it examines whether human rights theory and practice regarding global obligations are capable of, and essential to, solving widely debated issues of global justice.

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Essay on Fundamental Rights for Students and Children

500+ words essay on fundamental rights.

There are some basic rights that are very well-known as fundamental to human existence and crucial for human expansion. In the absence of fundamental rights, a man’s existence would be worthless. So, the political institution’s role and responsibility mainly emphasized on empowering the people, especially the minorities to live in dignity with rights of equality, dignity and religious freedom. Fundamental Rights have been classified into 6 categories that are Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Right to Cultural and Educational, Right to Constitutional Remedy.

Right to Equality

This right includes the equality before the Law which implies a prohibition of discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, color or sex, equal protection of the law, equal opportunity in public employment and abolition of untouchability and titles. It also states that every citizen shall have equal access to all public places.

To provide equal opportunities there will be no reservation in government services except in the case of scheduled caste, scheduled tribes, and other backward classes and for war widows and physically handicapped person. This right was made to abolish untouchability which was practiced in India for decades.

Right to Freedom

This right includes the right to freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and freedom to form unions and associations. It also includes freedom to travel anywhere in India, freedom to live in any part of India, and the freedom to choose any profession of their interest.

This right also states that any citizen of India has the full right to purchase, sell and hold property in any part of the country. According to these rights, people will have the liberty to indulge in any trade or business. This right also defines that a person cannot be convicted twice for the same offense and it also cannot be compelled to stand as a witness against oneself.

Right against Exploitation

This right includes the prohibition of any form of forced labor. Children who are below the age of 14 years are not allowed to work in mines or factories where the risk of life is involved. According to these rights, no person has the right to exploit the other person in any way.

Therefore human trafficking & begging have been made legal offenses and those found involved are to be penalized. According to this rights slavery and traffic among women and children for dishonest purposes has been declared an offense. Payment of minimum wage against the labor is defined and no compromise is allowed in this regard.

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Right to Freedom of Religion

These right states that there will be full freedom of conscience for all citizens of India. All people shall have equal right to freely adopt, practice and spread the religion of their choice. The state shall not hinder in any religious affairs of any individual in any manner. In this, all religions have a right to establish and uphold institutions for religious and charitable purposes. Also, they will be free to manage their own affairs with respect to these rights.

Cultural and Educational Right

This right is one of the most important rights as education is the primary right of each child. According to this right, all are free to follow the culture of their choice. Also, all are free to get the education of their choice.

No individual will be denied admission in any of the educational institutes on the basis of their culture, caste or religion. According to this, all the minorities have the right to establish their own educational institutes.

Right to Constitutional Remedy

This right is a very special right given to all the citizens. According to this right, a citizen has the power to go to the court in case of denial of any of the fundamental rights. The court stands as a guard for anybody against the breach of these rights.

If the government forcefully or intentionally does injustice to any individual or if a person is imprisoned without any reason or by the unlawful act then this right allows the person to go to the court for getting justice against the actions of the government.

Fundamental rights play a very significant role in the life of any citizen. These rights can defend during the time of complexity & difficulty and help us grow into a good human being and that’s why all the rights are the needs of people.

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Evolution of Human Rights in India, Types, Characteristics, Importance

Evolution of human rights can be traced back to ancient civilizations and it is an ongoing process. Know all about Evolution of Human Rights in India, its Types, Characteristics and Importance here.

Table of Contents

Evolution of Human Rights

Throughout history, the idea of human rights has been an evolving force, gradually taking shape and gaining momentum to become a cornerstone of modern societies. From ancient civilizations to the Enlightenment era’s profound philosophies, the journey of human rights has been marked by milestones that have shaped the way we view individual liberties, dignity, and equality. Read this article to learn about it in detail. 

Human Rights Definition

Human rights are fundamental entitlements and protections that belong to every person, regardless of their gender, age, or nationality, simply because they are human beings. These rights are considered inherent, meaning they are not granted by any government or authority but are part of our basic humanity. The concept of human rights is rooted in the idea of human dignity, recognizing the inherent worth and value of every individual.

These rights encompass a wide range of principles and freedoms that aim to ensure individuals can live with dignity, security, and the ability to make choices about their lives. They are derived from the understanding that every person is born free and equal in dignity and rights and possesses reason and conscience, which should guide their interactions with others in a spirit of brotherhood.

Human rights are not limited to a specific group or country but are universal and apply to all people worldwide. They are the foundation for a just and fair society and serve as a safeguard against discrimination, oppression, and abuse.

Read about: UN Human Rights Council 

Categories of Human Rights

Human rights can be categorized into different types:

• Civil and Political Rights : These include the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to a fair trial. They protect individuals from government interference in their personal and political affairs.
• Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights : These encompass rights related to basic needs such as the right to education, the right to work, the right to health, and the right to a standard of living that ensures well-being.
• Collective or Group Rights : Some rights are specific to particular groups, such as the right to self-determination for indigenous peoples or the right to participate in cultural, religious, or linguistic communities.

Human rights are enshrined in various international documents, with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948 being a cornerstone. These rights are protected by both international and domestic laws and are monitored and enforced by governments, international organizations, and human rights advocates to ensure that individuals are treated with respect and dignity.

Importance of Human Rights

Human rights matter for several crucial reasons:

Basic Needs and Dignity

Human rights are crucial because they make sure that every person can have basic things like food, clean water, a place to live, clothes, and medicine. These rights protect a person’s dignity, ensuring they are treated with respect.

Protection for Vulnerable Groups

Human rights also help safeguard vulnerable groups in society. They were created after the terrible events of World War II , like the Holocaust, where not only Jewish people but also those with disabilities and the LGBT community were targeted. Human rights organizations focus on protecting those who are most likely to be mistreated or discriminated against.

Standing Up Against Corruption

These rights give people the power to speak out when they see abuse or corruption happening. This is important because no society is perfect, and human rights tell people that they deserve to be treated with dignity by society, whether it’s the government or their workplace. When this dignity is denied, people can use their human rights to stand up for themselves.

Freedom of Speech

Another essential aspect is the freedom to express our thoughts without being afraid of getting in trouble. It’s not just about speaking out but also about allowing people to have different ideas and opinions without fearing punishment. This freedom protects individuals who want to discuss or argue about various ideas within society.

Religious and Spiritual Freedom

Human rights recognize how important a person’s religion or spiritual beliefs are. They ensure that people can practice their religion peacefully. At the same time, they also give the freedom to choose not to follow any religion if that’s what someone believes.

Freedom to Love

The right to choose who to love is extremely important. It means that people can decide their romantic relationships without being forced into something they don’t want. In countries where these rights are not protected, people, especially from the LGBT community, may face oppression and abuse.

Equal Work Opportunities

Human rights make sure that everyone has a fair chance to work and make a living. They prevent unfair treatment or discrimination in the workplace, promoting equality among all workers.

Access to Education

Education is a crucial part of life, and human rights ensure that everyone, not just a select few, has access to schooling, books, and other learning materials. This helps break the cycle of poverty and creates a fairer society.

Environmental Protection

Human rights are also connected to protecting the environment. Clean air, water, and soil are considered essential rights because they directly affect people’s well-being. If these rights are not respected, it can harm human lives.

Read about: State Human Rights Commission

Three Generations of Human Rights

First-generation human rights (blue rights).

These are like the foundation of human rights. They include things like the right to say what you think (freedom of expression), the right to vote, and the right to a fair trial. Imagine them as the “blue” rights, the fundamental ones that set the stage for other rights.

Second-Generation Human Rights (Red Rights)

These are about the things that make life better for people. Think of having a good education, access to healthcare when you’re sick, and the opportunity to work and earn a living. These are like the “red” rights, which add color to people’s lives and well-being.

Third-Generation Human Rights (Green Rights)

These are like the rights that protect not just individuals, but everyone together and our planet. They include the right to a clean environment, the right to development for all, and the right to live in peace. These are often called “green” rights because they’re about preserving our world for future generations.

Read about: National Human Rights Commission

Types of Human Rights

Human rights are of different types and can be categorized into the following categories. These categories of human rights are not mutually exclusive, and many rights overlap. Human rights are interdependent and indivisible, meaning that the enjoyment of one right often depends on the fulfilment of other rights. Additionally, the concept of human rights is dynamic, and new rights may emerge as society’s understanding of human dignity and justice evolves over time.

• Legal Rights : Legal rights are those rights that are recognized and protected by law. They are enforceable through the legal system. For example, the right to a fair trial and the right to property are legal rights.
• Moral Rights : Moral rights are based on principles of fairness and justice and may not always be legally enforceable. These rights are rooted in ethical and moral beliefs about what is right and wrong. For example, the right to be treated with dignity and respect is a moral right.
• Civil Rights : Civil rights are the fundamental rights and freedoms that protect individuals from government interference in their personal and political affairs. They include the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to a fair trial.
• Political Rights : Political rights pertain to the ability of individuals to participate in the political processes of their country. These rights include the right to vote, the right to run for public office, and the right to freedom of political association.
• Social Rights : Social rights are related to the well-being and social security of individuals. They encompass rights such as the right to education, the right to work, and the right to health care. Social rights aim to ensure that individuals have access to essential social services.
• Economic Rights : Economic rights are rights that relate to economic well-being and financial security. They include the right to work, the right to fair wages, and the right to own property. Economic rights aim to protect individuals from economic exploitation.
• Cultural Rights : Cultural rights are rights that protect an individual’s cultural identity and heritage. They include the right to participate in cultural, religious, or linguistic communities and the right to preserve one’s cultural heritage.
• Group Rights : Group rights, also known as collective rights, pertain to the rights of specific groups of people, such as indigenous peoples, minorities, or communities. These rights may include the right to self-determination, the right to cultural autonomy, and the right to participate in decision-making that affects the group.
• Solidarity Rights : Solidarity rights focus on the collective well-being of society as a whole. These rights include the right to development, the right to peace, the right to a clean environment, and the right to one’s own natural resources. Solidarity rights emphasize the interconnectedness of all members of society.

The concept of “rights” and “duties” has ancient roots, dating back to the emergence of human societies and the formation of states. As humans are inherently social beings, the issue of rights and their associated duties naturally arose in the context of individuals’ interactions within a society and their relationship with the governing authority. Over time, norms of social behaviour developed, eventually crystallizing into what we now recognize as human rights.

These early notions of rights can be traced back to various historical and cultural contexts, such as ancient Greek and Roman political systems in Europe, the Confucian system in China, the Islamic political system in the Muslim world, and the “Panchayat” system in India. However, it’s important to note that the concept of rights in these systems was not fully developed in the way we understand it today.

Significant Historical Events and Revolutions

Several significant historical events and revolutions played pivotal roles in the development of human rights:

• British Constitutional Documents : The Magna Carta (1215), the Petition of Rights (1628), and the Bill of Rights (1689) in England were early charters that placed restrictions on the powers of the monarchy, paving the way for the rule of law.
• American Declaration of Independence : The American Declaration of Independence in 1776 introduced ideas of human rights, stating that “all men are created equal” and have “unalienable rights” to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
• French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen: The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen in 1789 recognized numerous rights, including equality, freedom of thought, religion, and property rights.
• Bolshevik Revolution : The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 introduced socio-economic dimensions to human rights, emphasizing positive rights related to economic and social well-being, in addition to civil and political rights.
• League of Nations : The League of Nations was established after World War I and was mandated to supervise the enforcement of minorities’ rights treaties, addressing issues related to the protection of minority populations.
• International Labor Organization (ILO) : Founded in 1919 and later becoming a specialized agency of the United Nations, the ILO established international labour standards related to workers’ rights, fair employment practices, and social security.
• Abolition of Slavery : International treaties emerged in the 19th century aimed at the abolition of slavery, condemning the practice and promoting freedom.
• Humanitarian Intervention (HI ): The doctrine of humanitarian intervention emerged, recognizing the lawful use of force by states to prevent the mistreatment of a nation’s own citizens, especially in cases of severe brutality.
• International Humanitarian Law (IHL) : International humanitarian law, with treaties dating back to the 19th century, regulates the conduct of armed conflict, protecting the rights of wounded soldiers, prisoners of war, and civilian populations.

The United Nations, established in 1945, played a pivotal role in the evolution of human rights. The UN Charter emphasized the importance of human rights, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948, marked a significant milestone. The UDHR outlined a comprehensive set of human rights, encompassing both civil and political rights and economic, social, and cultural rights.

Since then, the UN has continued to develop international conventions, treaties, and declarations on human rights, addressing a wide range of issues and promoting the universality of human rights. These efforts have contributed to the ongoing evolution of human rights norms and standards on a global scale.

Characteristics of Human Rights

Human rights possess several key characteristics that distinguish them from other forms of rights or privileges. These characteristics help define the nature and significance of human rights:

• Universal and Inherent : Human rights are like moral guidelines that apply to everyone just because they are human beings. You don’t have to earn them, buy them, or inherit them; they are automatically yours simply by being a human. They are tied to the idea of human dignity, meaning that every person deserves to be treated with respect and fairness.
• Non-Discrimination : These rights are for every person, regardless of their race, colour, sex, language, religion, political beliefs, national or social background, property, or any other status. In other words, human rights are for all and should not discriminate against anyone.
• Culturally Neutral : Human rights don’t favour one culture, ideology, or part of the world over another. They are designed to be fair and applicable everywhere, whether you’re in the East or West, North or South, developed or developing country, and regardless of your religious or cultural background.
• Comprehensive : Human rights cover a wide range of areas in life. They include things like the right to free speech and the right to live without discrimination, as well as economic rights like the right to work and social rights like the right to education. These rights are continually evolving and expanding as societies change and develop.
• Indivisible and Interrelated : Human rights aren’t separate from each other. They are all connected and equally important. You can’t have one without the others. For example, the right to education is linked to the right to work, as having a job allows you to access education. No right is more important than another; they all work together.
• Limitations : While human rights are essential, they are not absolute. In some situations, like during a war or a public emergency, some rights might be limited or restricted to protect things like national security, public order, or public health. However, these limitations must be reasonable and justifiable and should not violate the rights and freedoms of others.

Evolution of Human Rights in India

The evolution of human rights in India can be traced back to ancient times, but it was not until the British colonial era that the concept of human rights began to take on its modern form. The British introduced a number of laws and regulations that were designed to protect the rights of their subjects, including the Indian Penal Code (1860) and the Criminal Procedure Code (1898). However, these laws were often discriminatory and did not apply to all Indians equally.

During the Indian independence movement, human rights became a central issue. The leaders of the movement, such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, argued that human rights were essential for a free and democratic India.

After independence in 1947, the Indian government adopted the Constitution of India, which enshrined a number of fundamental rights for all citizens. These rights included the right to life, liberty, and equality; the right to freedom of speech and expression; and the right to freedom of religion.

Since independence, India has made significant progress in promoting and protecting human rights. However, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed. Human rights abuses continue to be committed in many parts of the country, and many people are still denied their basic human rights.

Here are some of the key milestones in the evolution of human rights in India:

• 1860:  The Indian Penal Code is enacted, which codifies the criminal laws of India.
• 1898:  The Criminal Procedure Code is enacted, which lays down the procedures for the investigation and trial of crimes.
• 1919: The Government of India Act was passed, which introduced some limited reforms to the colonial system of government.
• 1935:  The Government of India Act is passed, which grants a greater degree of autonomy to the provinces and introduces a system of responsible government.
• 1947:  India gains independence from the British Empire.
• 1950:  The Constitution of India is adopted, which enshrines a number of fundamental rights for all citizens.
• 1993:  The Protection of Human Rights Act is enacted, which establishes a National Human Rights Commission to investigate and inquire into allegations of human rights violations.

The evolution of human rights in India is an ongoing process. As society changes and develops, new human rights challenges emerge. It is important to continue to fight for the promotion and protection of human rights for all people.

Evolution of Human Rights UPSC

The topic of the “Evolution of Human Rights” holds significant importance for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination, as it aligns with several key aspects of the UPSC syllabus . It is covered under topics related to History, International Relations, and Contemporary Issues, which are integral components of the UPSC syllabus. Moreover, UPSC aspirants can learn this concept via UPSC online coaching platform and attempt UPSC mock tests to enhance their knowledge and preparation. A thorough grasp of this subject equips candidates with the knowledge and analytical skills necessary to excel in both the UPSC prelims and main examinations, enabling them to address questions related to human rights, international treaties, and global developments effectively.

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Evolution of Human Rights FAQs

What do you mean by human rights and explain the evolution of human rights.

Human rights are fundamental rights and freedoms that inherently belong to all individuals, irrespective of their nationality, ethnicity, or background, ensuring their dignity and protection from discrimination and harm.

How human rights evolved in India?

The evolution of human rights traces back to ancient civilizations, with significant developments occurring during the Enlightenment era in the 17th and 18th centuries.

When did human rights evolve?

In India, the evolution of human rights can be traced to ancient texts like the Arthashastra, but modern human rights began to take shape with the Indian Constitution in 1950.

What is the history of origin of human rights?

The concept of human rights evolved over centuries, with key milestones including the Magna Carta (1215), Enlightenment philosophies, and international efforts post-World War II.

Who is the father of human rights?

The concept of human rights does not have a single "father," but Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and philosophers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau greatly contributed to its development.

Who started human rights in India?

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar played a significant role in shaping human rights in India through his involvement in drafting the Indian Constitution, which enshrines fundamental rights and freedoms.

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What Are Human Rights? Essay

One of the most peculiar aspects of a post-industrial living is that, as of today, just about every socially prominent politician in the West considers itself an ‘expert on human rights’ and refers the concept of human rights, as such that represents an objective truth-value.

Partially, this can be explained by the fact that the classical definitions of human rights suggest the concept’s perceptual and implicational universality, which in turn implies that one’s endowment with a particular ‘human right’ should not be substantiated rationally, but rather ‘felt’ emotionally.

As Cranston (1973, p. 36) pointed out, “A human right by definition is a universal moral right… something of which no one may be deprived without a grave affront to justice, something which is owing to every human being simply because he is human”.

In fact, the belief that all humans are equally entitled to certain rights, within the society, served as a discursive foundation for the introduction of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the U.N., according to which, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood” (UDHR 1948, Article 1).

Nevertheless, even though that nowadays the concept of ‘human rights’ is being commonly discussed, as such that applies to all people, regardless of what happened to be the specifics of their ethno-cultural affiliation and their varying ability to act as the agents of progress, this is far from being the actual case.

After all, it is not only that throughout the course of history, the concept of human rights has been referred to, as such that applies to only certain groups of individuals, but that the objective socio-political realities create dialectical prerequisites for this concept to be used by Western countries to justify their continual geopolitical domination in the world.

This is exactly the reason why, as of today, we usually get to hear of people’s ‘human rights’ being abused, within the context of how Western countries (particularly the U.S.) go about rationalizing their decisions to resort to a military intervention, as the mean of ‘defending democracy’ in the de facto sovereign states.

Therefore, there is nothing too surprising about the fact that, even though that the universality of people’s ‘human rights’ has been officially declared by the international community members, as far back as in 1948, there is very little uniformity to how this concept is being applied in practice.

The reason for this is apparent – whereas, there is indeed a good rationale in thinking that the idea of ‘human rights’ does appeal to people on an unconscious level, not all of these people can be regarded humans, in the societal sense of this word. Let us explore the validity of this statement at length.

When it comes to elaborating on what should be considered a discursively legitimate definition of ‘human rights’, it is important to understand that the concept in question cannot be referred to in terms of a ‘thing in itself’.

That is, at first people evolved to the point of being able to recognize their basic humanity, and only then they realized themselves being in a position to coin the term ‘human rights’.

What does make one human? It is the same that allowed the representatives of Homo Sapiens species to attain an undisputed dominance in their environmental niche, which now accounts for the whole planet Earth – their ability to operate with highly abstract subject matters (intellect).

Being endowed with intellect, people are able to act as the agents of civilization/progress, which in turn allows them to create societies and to ensure these societies’ effective functioning. Thus, in order for just about anyone to be considered eligible of taking a practical advantage of ‘human rights, he or she must be able to prove its humanness socially.

In its turn, this would require the concerned individual to attest his or her endowment with, “1. Capacity to reason; 2. capacity to act for normative reasons, including moral reasons; 3. capacity to act autonomously; 4. capacity to engage in complex social relationships” (Bernat 2008, p. 8).

In other words, it is specifically the individuals capable of pushing forward a socio-cultural progress, which may be considered human, in the full sense of this word.

Hence, the first discursive provision to how I think the concept of ‘human rights’ should be defined – the notion of a ‘right’ derives out of the notion of a ‘power’, rather out of the notion of a ‘morality/ethics’. This is why it is wrong to believe that one can simply be assigned with certain rights, without qualifying to possess these rights, in the first place.

Rights are not given but taken (Pagden 2003). This is the reason why it is methodologically fallacious to assume that animals or unborn human fetuses can have ‘rights’ – it is not only the above-mentioned may have no understanding, as to what the concept of a ‘right’ stands for, but they would never be able to defend any of their hypothetical ‘rights’, even in theory.

The second provision is that the notion of a ‘right’ must be discussed in conjunction with the notion of an intellectual advancement. After all, it is specifically people’s ability to indulge in abstract philosophizing, which allowed them to coin up the term ‘humanity’, in the first place.

This once again suggests that it is conceptually inappropriate advocating the universality of human rights, without taking into consideration the qualitative psychological characteristics of those individuals, to which the concept of ‘human rights’ supposedly applies.

The third provision is that, contrary to what nowadays is being commonly assumed, the earlier mentioned concept (in its contemporary sounding) did not come about because of the humanity’s ways having been turned thoroughly ethical/moral.

Rather, it emerged because the concept’s advocates, which overwhelmingly consist of Westerners (Whites), came to realize that, on order for them to be able to continue exploiting the world’s natural and human resources, they need to have a legally legitimate excuse to meddle in the internal affairs of non-Western countries.

In other words, the objective laws of history naturally predetermined the concept of ‘human rights’ to serve realist rather than constructivist purposes.

What has been said earlier allows us to formulate a discursively sound definition of human rights. Human rights are the legally enforced civil liberties, to which the members of most evolutionary advanced societies happened to be entitled by the very fact that, due to their socio-economic and technological advancement, they can enjoy the luxury of not having to participate in the tribal ‘war of everybody against everybody’, as the mean of ensuring their physical survival.

This definition, of course, implies that there is indeed a good reason in limiting the ‘universality’ of humans rights to encompass only those, which due to the genetically predetermined specifics of their ‘mental wiring’, are able to comprehend the concept, in general, and its discursive implications, in particular.

Qualifying people for the entitlement to human rights will not represent much of a challenge. Since one’s ability to function as the society’s productive member (and consequently, the extent of his or her ‘humanness’) reflects the concerned person’s rate of IQ, it will be logical to assume that it is only the individuals with the IQ rate higher than 70, to which the concept of ‘human rights’ applies.

Given the fact that, as sociologists are being well aware of, in some world’s countries the average rate of citizens’ IQ is measured to be as low as 50 (Lynn & Vanhanen 2002), people that reside in these countries cannot be considered the de facto part of humanity. Consequently, the concept of ‘human rights’ cannot apply to these people, by definition.

Even though that the earlier suggestion may be deemed ‘racist’, it nevertheless correlates perfectly well with the actual state of affairs in the arena of international politics.

For example, during the course of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which resulted in the deaths of at least one million people, Western countries adopted a ‘neutral’ stance – the violation of Rwandans’ ‘human rights’ did not concern these countries at all. Had Rwanda been rich in natural resources, this would have been an entirely different matter (Kimpimaki 2011).

Thus, it would only be appropriate to conclude this paper by reinstating once again that the presumed ‘universality’ of human rights is nothing but a myth, just as it is being the case with the theoretical paradigm, out of which this myth originated – the assumption of people’s universal equality. This is the reason why, if not adjusted to the earlier mentioned provisions, the concept of ‘human rights’ will continue to emanate a strong spirit of hypocrisy.

Bernat, E 2008, ‘Which Beings Should Be Entitled to Human Rights?’, Medical Law International , vol. 9 no. 1, pp. 1-12.

Cranston, M 1973, What are human rights? , Bodley Head, London.

Kimpimaki, M 2011, ‘Genocide in Rwanda – is it really Finland’s concern?’, International Criminal Law Review , vol. 11 no. 1, pp. 155-176.

Lynn, R & Vanhanen, T 2002, IQ and the wealth of nations . Westport, Greenwood Publishing Group.

Pagden, A 2003, ‘Human rights, natural rights, and Europe’s imperial legacy’, Political Theory , vol. 31 no. 2, pp. 171-199.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948. Web.

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IvyPanda . (2023) 'What Are Human Rights'. 19 December.

IvyPanda . 2023. "What Are Human Rights?" December 19, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/human-rights-essay-2/.

1. IvyPanda . "What Are Human Rights?" December 19, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/human-rights-essay-2/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "What Are Human Rights?" December 19, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/human-rights-essay-2/.

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10 Reasons Why Human Rights Are Important

Interest and awareness of human rights has grown in recent decades. In 1948, the United Nations released the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has become the most important document of what should be considered the standard for basic equality and human dignity. Why do human rights matter? Here are ten specific reasons:

#1: Human rights ensure people have basic needs met

Everyone needs access to medicine, food and water, clothes, and shelter. By including these in a person’s basic human rights, everyone has a baseline level of dignity. Unfortunately, there are still millions of people out there who don’t have these necessities, but saying it’s a matter of human rights allows activists and others to work towards getting those for everyone.

#2: Human rights protect vulnerable groups from abuse

The Declaration of Human Rights was created largely because of the Holocaust and the horrors of WII. During that time in history, the most vulnerable in society were targeted along with the Jewish population, including those with disabilities and LGBT. Organizations concerned with human rights focus on members of society most vulnerable to abuse from powerholders, instead of ignoring them.

#3: Human rights allow people to stand up to societal corruption

The concept of human rights allows people to speak up when they experience abuse and corruption. This is why specific rights like the right to assemble are so crucial because no society is perfect. The concept of human rights empowers people and tells them that they deserve dignity from society, whether it’s the government or their work environment. When they don’t receive it, they can stand up.

#4: Human rights encourage freedom of speech and expression

While similar to what you just read above, being able to speak freely without fear of brutal reprisal is more expansive. It encompasses ideas and forms of expression that not everybody will like or agree with, but no one should ever feel like they are going to be in danger from their government because of what they think. It goes both ways, too, and protects people who want to debate or argue with certain ideas expressed in their society.

#5: Human rights give people the freedom to practice their religion (or not practice any)

Religious violence and oppression occur over and over again all across history, from the Crusades to the Holocaust to modern terrorism in the name of religion. Human rights acknowledges the importance of a person’s religion and spiritual beliefs, and lets them practice in peace. The freedom to not hold to a religion is also a human right.

#6: Human rights allows people to love who they choose

The importance of freedom to love cannot be understated. Being able to choose what one’s romantic life looks like is an essential human right. The consequences of not protecting this right are clear when you look at countries where LGBT people are oppressed and abused, or where women are forced into marriages they don’t want.

#7: Human rights encourage equal work opportunities

The right to work and make a living allows people to flourish in their society. Without acknowledging that the work environment can be biased or downright oppressive, people find themselves enduring abuse or insufficient opportunities. The concept of human rights provides a guide for how workers should be treated and encourages equality.

#8: Human rights give people access to education

Education is important for so many reasons and is crucial for societies where poverty is common. Organizations and governments concerned with human rights provide access to schooling, supplies, and more in order to halt the cycle of poverty. Seeing education as a right means everyone can get access, not just the elite.

#9: Human rights protect the environment

The marriage between human rights and environmentalism is becoming stronger due to climate change and the effects it has on people. We live in the world, we need the land, so it makes sense that what happens to the environment impacts humanity. The right to clean air, clean soil, and clean water are all as important as the other rights included in this list.

#10: Human rights provide a universal standard that holds governments accountable

When the UDHR was released, it had a two-fold purpose: provide a guideline for the future and force the world to acknowledge that during WWII, human rights had been violated on a massive scale. With a standard for what is a human right, governments can be held accountable for their actions. There’s power in naming an injustice and pointing to a precedent, which makes the UDHR and other human right documents so important.

Do you want to learn more about why human rights are important? Take a free online course on human rights offered by top universities.

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About the author, emmaline soken-huberty.

Emmaline Soken-Huberty is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon. She started to become interested in human rights while attending college, eventually getting a concentration in human rights and humanitarianism. LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and climate change are of special concern to her. In her spare time, she can be found reading or enjoying Oregon’s natural beauty with her husband and dog.