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Introduction to Human Rights

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Human rights are a set of principles that are concerned with equality and fairness. It protects humans from being discriminated against and abused because everyone should have a chance to develop their talents.

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What Are Human Rights?

Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more.  Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.

International Human Rights Law

International human rights law  lays down the obligations of Governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups.

One of the great achievements of the United Nations is the creation of a comprehensive body of human rights law—a universal and internationally protected code to which all nations can subscribe and all people aspire. The United Nations has defined a broad range of internationally accepted rights, including civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. It has also established mechanisms to promote and protect these rights and to assist states in carrying out their responsibilities.

The foundations of this body of law are the  Charter  of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights , adopted by the General Assembly in 1945 and 1948, respectively.  Since then, the United Nations has gradually expanded human rights law to encompass specific standards for women, children, persons with disabilities, minorities and other vulnerable groups, who now possess rights that protect them from discrimination that had long been common in many societies.

• 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 by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III)  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. Since its adoption in 1948, the UDHR has been translated into more than  500 languages  - the most translated document in the world - and has inspired the constitutions of many newly independent States and many new democracies. The UDHR, together with the  International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights  and its two  Optional Protocols  (on the complaints procedure and on the death penalty) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and its Optional Protocol, form the so-called  International Bill of Human Rights .

Economic, social and cultural rights

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights  entered into force in 1976. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is the body of 18  independent experts  that monitors implementation of the Covenant by its States parties. Its Optional Protocol entered into force in 2013. The human rights that the Covenant seeks to promote and protect include

• the right to work in just and favourable conditions;
• the right to social protection, to an adequate standard of living and to the highest attainable standards of physical and mental well-being;
• the right to education and the enjoyment of benefits of cultural freedom and scientific progress.

Civil and political rights

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights  and its  First Optional Protocol  entered into force in 1976 and the  Second Optional Protocol  came into force in 1991. The Human Rights Committee monitors the implementation of this multilateral treaty and its Optional Protocols.

The Covenant deals with such rights as freedom of movement; equality before the law; the right to a fair trial and presumption of innocence; freedom of thought, conscience and religion; freedom of opinion and expression; peaceful assembly; freedom of association; participation in public affairs and elections; and protection of minority rights. It prohibits arbitrary deprivation of life; torture, cruel or degrading treatment or punishment; slavery and forced labour; arbitrary arrest or detention; arbitrary interference with privacy; war propaganda; discrimination; and advocacy of racial or religious hatred.

Human Rights Conventions

A series of international human rights treaties and other instruments adopted since 1945 have expanded the body of international human rights law. They include the  Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948) , the  International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965) , the  Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979) , the  Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)  and the  Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) , among others .

Human Rights Council

The Human Rights Council , established on 15 March 2006 by the General Assembly and reporting directly to it, replaced the 60-year-old  UN Commission on Human Rights  as the key UN intergovernmental body responsible for human rights. The Council is made up of 47 State representatives and is tasked with strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe by addressing situations of human rights violations and making recommendations on them, including responding to human rights emergencies

The most innovative feature of the Human Rights Council is the  Universal Periodic Review (UPR). This unique mechanism involves a review of the human rights records of all 193 UN member states once every four years. The Review is a cooperative, state-driven process, under the auspices of the Council, which provides the opportunity for each state to present measures taken and challenges to be met to improve the human rights situation in their country and to meet their international obligations

The Review is designed to ensure universality and equality of treatment for every country and takes place during the sessions of the UPR Working Group which meets three times a year. The UPR Working Group consists of the 47 members of the Council.

Special Procedures and Investigative Bodies

The Human Rights Council also has special procedures that consist of independent human rights experts who have the mandate to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective. These experts are not paid and are elected for 3-year mandates that can be extended for another three years. As of November 2023, there are 46 thematic and 14 country mandates.

Since 2006, the Council has set up various investigative bodies to look into alleged violations in specific countries. These have taken the form of fact-finding missions and commissions of inquiry. In addition, there is one thematic body, the Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

The  United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights  exercises principal responsibility for UN human rights activities. The High Commissioner is mandated to respond to serious violations of human rights and to undertake preventive action.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)  is the focal point for United Nations human rights activities. It serves as the secretariat for the Human Rights Council, the treaty bodies (expert committees that monitor treaty compliance) and other UN human rights organs. It also undertakes human rights field activities.

Most of the core human rights treaties have an oversight body which is responsible for reviewing the implementation of that treaty by the countries that have ratified it.  Individuals, whose rights have been violated can file complaints directly to Committees overseeing human rights treaties.

Human Rights and the UN System

Human rights is a cross-cutting theme in all UN policies and programmes in the key areas of peace and security, development, humanitarian assistance, and economic and social affairs. As a result, virtually every UN body and specialized agency is involved to some degree in the protection of human rights. Some examples are the  right to development , which is at the core of the  Sustainable Development Goals ; the right to food, championed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, labour rights , defined and protected by the International Labour Organization, gender equality, which is promulgated by UN Women, the rights of children, indigenous peoples, and disabled persons

Human Rights Day  is observed every year on 10 December.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 75

On 10 December 2023, the UN System celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The OHCHR conducted a year-long commemoration, the Human Rights Initiative , during which 150 Member States, NGOs, businesses and UN entities made pledges on a wide range of human rights issues - from advancing women’s rights, and children’s rights, to commitments on climate change, and empowering people with disabilities to ensure legislative reforms.

The three main goals focus of the initiative were focused in universality, progress and engagement under the leadership of UN Human Rights, together with its partners. The 75th Anniversary culminated in a high-level event in December 2023 that announced global pledges and ideas for a vision for the future of human rights.

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Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Jul 24, 2014

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Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The origins. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly 10 December 1948 Palais de Chaillot , Paris. Introduction.

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Universal Declaration of Human Rights The origins

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly • 10 December 1948 • Palais de Chaillot, Paris Introduction

The Declaration arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled. Ruins of the Town of Cassino, Italy, April 1944 Why did it come about?

The declaration was influenced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's speech to the United States Congress in 1941 championing the four freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom from fear and freedom from want. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iHKtrirjlY Influenced by…

In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression -- everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way -- everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want, which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants -- everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear, which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor -- anywhere in the world. Franklin Roosevelt 6th Jan 1941

The four freedoms Roosevelt outlines are freedom… • of s_____________ • of r_____________ • from p____________ • from f_____________ In other words…

It consists of 30 articles which have been elaborated in subsequent international treaties, regional human rights instruments, national constitutions and laws. Cover of the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations" What’s in it?

It defines the fundamental rights of individuals, and encourages all governments to protect these rights. What’s in it?

Article 1 • 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. Article 2 • 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. Article 3 • Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Examples of articles

Canadian John Peters Humphrey was called upon by the United Nations Secretary-General to work on the project and became the Declaration's principal drafter. Drafting

The UN has translated the document into over three hundred languages and dialects. This audiobook includes readings in 21 languages. Different languages

Herbert Vere Evatt • Background: As the Second World War draws to a close world leaders gather at San Francisco to discuss the establishment of the United Nations. The UN replaces the League of Nations, which was set up after the First World War to foster international cooperation. • Mini biography:Born 1894, NSW, Australia. • 1918 - Evatt is admitted to the Sydney bar. • 1925 - He joins the Australian Labor Party, entering the NSW State Parliament as the member of the Legislative Assembly. • 1930- Evatt leaves state politics and is appointed a justice of the High Court of Australia. • 1940 - He resigns from the High Court and enters federal politics. • 1941 - Labor wins the election. Prime Minister John Curtin appoints Evatt as attorney-general and minister for external affairs. Australia’s contribution?

1945 - He is a member of the San Francisco Conference which draws up the Charter of the United Nations. • During the Charter negotiations he fights for the rights of smaller powers and advocates that the UN should have the power to effect social and economic reform and protect human rights. Article 56, which calls on member states to work toward "higher standards of living, full employment and conditions of economic and social progress and development," becomes known as 'the Australian pledge'. ‘The Australian pledge’

The Charter is signed on 26th June by the representatives of the 50 countries attending the conference. The United Nations officially comes into existence on 24th October, when the charter is ratified by the majority of its 50 signatories. • 1946-49 - Evatt serves as deputy prime minister to Ben Chifley. • 1946 - He leads the Australian delegation to the Paris Peace Conference and the Australian delegations to the UN in 1946, 1947 and 1948. • 1948 - He is elected president of the UN General Assembly at its third session. He remains the only Australian to have held this post. Evatt presides over the UN's adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10th December, followed by the Geneva and Genocide Conventions. • 1949 - Labor loses the federal election. The remainder of Evatt's parliamentary life is spent in opposition. Further involvement

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Human rights lesson infographics, it seems that you like this template, free google slides theme, powerpoint template, and canva presentation template.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights dates back to 1948, and it establishes 30 fundamental rights that must be respected worldwide. If you need or would like to talk about this important topic you can use this infographic template we have created at Slidesgo. It is colorful and features illustrations of people from different backgrounds, showing diversity. We have added process diagrams, graphs and charts, among other resources.

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10 Human Rights Topic Ideas For You To Explore

Are you interested in knowing more about a human rights topic? Maybe you’re in school and need an idea for a project. People hoping to work (or currently working) in the human rights field also need to know about emerging trends. Even if your career isn’t in human rights, these topics are still relevant. Whether you want to volunteer with an organization, raise awareness about an issue, or simply know more about what’s going on, understanding the state of human rights is important. It’s the first step to defending rights and making the world a better place for everyone. Here are ten human rights topic ideas to explore:

#1. Gender inequality

Gender inequality is an evergreen human rights topic. Because it has such a long history, we have a good idea of what works and what still needs to be done. Issues like the gender pay gap, the distribution of unpaid labor, gender-based violence , gendered job segregation, and women’s empowerment play into the state of inequality. Due to the pandemic, gender parity was set back by about a generation, so how to best respond is also a good topic to explore.

#2. Climate change

The climate crisis is arguably the most globally urgent human rights topic today. Reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change consistently confirm that human activity drives climate change. It affects rights like health, housing, food, water, education, and more. It disproportionately affects women, children, older people, minorities, migrants, rural workers, and other vulnerable groups.

#3. Children’s rights

Children often have their human rights violated. This is especially common during times of war, poverty, and other conflicts. The climate crisis represents one of the biggest threats. According to UNICEF , around one billion children are at “extremely high risk.” Kids need adults and organizations committed to speaking up for them and empowering their voices.

#4. The rights of migrants and refugees

More than 280 million people (about 3.6% of the global population) live outside their country of origin, according to the United Nations. Many of those migrants were forced to leave. The reasons vary significantly, but the human rights of migrants and refugees are often threatened. A report by the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Mixed Migration Centre at the Danish Refugee Council gives us an example. The report detailed how people crossing routes between East and West Africa and Africa’s Mediterranean coast face human rights abuses from smugglers, human traffickers, and State authorities.

#5. Weakening democracy

Freedom in the World 2021 , a report from Freedom House, found that authoritarian actors are becoming more brazen. 73 countries saw their freedom scores decline, including authoritarian states like Belarus and democracies like the United States and India. Considering that 2020 represented the 15th consecutive year of a decline in global freedom, weakening democracy is a disturbing human rights trend.

#6. Reproductive rights in Poland

Reproductive rights are important everywhere, but things are becoming dire in Poland. The country has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe thanks to the Law and Justice Party, which came to power in 2015. As things stand, nearly all abortions are effectively banned. This had led to protests like the massive 2020-2021 Women Strike. Groups supporting women’s rights have received bomb and death threats while individual activists are facing what many see as politically-motivated criminal charges. Anyone invested in reproductive rights should watch what’s happening in Poland.

#7. Disability rights

Due to barriers and discrimination, disabilities make it difficult or impossible for people to participate in the workplace, schools, cultural activities, travel, and so on. As an example, the United States’ confusing Social Security rules can lead to reductions or even a complete loss of benefits for disabled people when they marry. Health insurance can vanish, too. Stigma and ignorance make the world an unjust place, too.

#8. Surveillance technology

Concerns about surveillance are growing in the wake of Covid-19 tracking and monitoring technology. Ethical issues already existed in the use of crime prevention technologies, but the pandemic gave governments a reason to use the tech for another purpose. Employee monitoring, QR codes, facial recognition, drones, data collection, and more can easily start threatening human rights. Surveillance technology everyone. It’s a human rights topic that deserves attention.

#9. Transgender rights

Human rights for trans people were never protected that well, but there’s been a global rollback in recent years. 96 countries allow trans people to legally change their gender, but 71 have what ILGA World (a worldwide federation of organizations campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights) calls prohibitive requirements. There’s also been a weakening of discrimination laws, making the world a more dangerous place for trans people.

#10. Disinformation and misinformation

Propaganda and conspiracy theories have always existed, but technology facilitates the lightning-speed spread of false information. Disinformation is deliberate, but accidentally sharing false information – misinformation – can be just as harmful. False information is a human right issue because it threatens rights like the right to free and fair elections, the right to health, and the right to freedom from discrimination. The global surge of false information regarding Covid-19 is a clear example of the real-world effects. Conspiracy theories about the virus’ origins and false claims about cures and vaccines have led to violence and death .

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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.

Human Rights Explained: Human Rights Philosophies

Throughout history, different countries, societies and cultures have defined or clarified ‘human rights’ to suit their own contexts. In some communities, ‘human rights’ include a specific set of laws and legislation. In others, ‘human rights’ are simply guidelines that reflect the morals and expectations of individuals within that community.

The concept of natural rights (as in those that are naturally given) arises from the belief that there is an instinctive human ability to distinguish right from wrong.

Philosophers who base their theories on natural rights are also referred to as natural law thinkers. For example, Hugo Grotius believed that people have a ‘right reason’ for doing things. Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Immanuel Kant were supporters of natural rights theories, suggesting that we have basic fundamental rights because we are born human. Natural law thinkers see rights as universal (the same for everyone) and inalienable (meaning that they can’t be taken away from us).

Such theories were discussed prior to the evolution of the Nation-State, the framework for political society as we know it today.

Natural rights theories inspired revolutionary ideas and democratic struggles - forcing politics to protect the rights of citizens. Natural rights theories imply that all human beings are equal and should be treated equally. The demand for equality before the law in individual states is synonymous with the development of international human rights law.

Philosophers such as Karl Marx and Jeremy Bentham criticised natural rights theories.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Stuart Mill and Mary Wollstonecraft expanded on the beliefs of natural law theorists to discuss such issues as the social contract and the rights of women.

Philosophers such as Richard Rorty argue that the development of human rights and theories around human rights, have been developed largely in ‘Western’ thought. Many theories and philosophical approaches to human rights were developed in Europe during periods of imperialism and revolution.

Hugo Grotius (1583-1645), a Dutch lawyer, diplomat and philosopher, is considered the father of international law. Grotius considered universal laws of nature the foundation of international law. He wrote mostly about the rules governing interaction between states, including the law of war and the law of the sea, but was also the first scholar to use the word ‘right’ to mean a moral quality inherent in a person, which gave them certain entitlements. Grotius thought that the one aspect of the universal laws of nature was the right of all individuals and groups to self-preservation. He said that this right existed in all countries, regardless of their laws.

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Further Reading

• Explore an Introduction to Human Rights .
• Find out more about how the Australian Human Rights Commission was established .
• Review the latest News from the Australian Human Rights Commission.
• Have Your Say on the current inquiries, projects and conversations about human rights in Australia.
• Explore statistics relating to key areas of human rights in Australia.

International Human Rights Practicum Presentation- Daniko Girouard

Mon. Sep. 9, 2024

Join us on Wednesday, September 25th from 12:30 pm- 1:20 for an international practicum presentation! Human Rights student Daniko Girouard will share his experiences from his practicum placement with Micro Rainbow International Foundation in Cambodia. Discover the benefits of doing an international Human Rights practicum and learn more about funding opportunities for Human Rights students!

Lunch will be provided. Please email [email protected]  to RSVP.

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Emergency Alert Notification

Monday, May 14, 2020, at 12:00pm

This is a test of the emergency alert notification pop-up.

57th Session of the Human Rights Council: Statement by Sri Lanka (as the country concerned, following the Presentation of the Comprehensive Report on Sri Lanka by the High Commissioner for Human Rights) 09 September 2024

Mr. President,

High Commissioner for Human Rights,

Excellencies,

As this Council deliberates on the comprehensive report on Sri Lanka, presented by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, I wish to reiterate Sri Lanka’s longstanding  commitment to constructive engagement with this Council , the Universal Declaration and the related Treaties as well as other human rights mechanisms to which we are party.

Let me restate at the outset, Sri Lanka’s opposition to Human Rights Council Resolution 51/1 which mandated the report under consideration and the establishment of the external evidence-gathering mechanism.  This resolution was adopted without Sri Lanka's consent by a divided vote within this Council. We disassociate with the report for the reasons stated in our detailed response, available on the OHCHR website.

After facing its worst economic crisis, Sri Lanka succeeded in stabilizing its economy through a combination of prudent economic decision-making and enhanced financial oversight and governance, overcoming unprecedented social and political challenges. The resilience of Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions and economic recovery has been widely recognized domestically and commended by international agencies and both bilateral and multilateral partners.

This fragile but solidly grounded economic stability and the completion of debt restructuring has led to improved economic indicators including a remarkable return to positive economic growth of 5.3% in the first quarter of 2024, currency appreciation, a tripling of remittances, strengthened foreign exchange reserves, and a reduction in inflation from over 70% in September 2022 to 1.7% by June 2024-  As an outcome of these economic measures we are already delivering tangible benefits to Sri Lankans in their daily lives.

Transitioning from a debt-driven economic crisis toward stabilization and inclusive growth involves budgetary restrictions, which cause unfortunate short-term adverse impacts on various segments of society, particularly the vulnerable. This is an unavoidable consequence of the financial crisis and the stringent measures required for economic recovery—a reality not unique to Sri Lanka. Strengthening the economy is vital to the enjoyment of economic and social rights as well as the right to development.

Welfare measures, such as the *Aswesuma* cash transfer program, which will support nearly two million people in 2024, the national school nutrition program, which covers 1.6 million students, and the *Urumaya* land ownership scheme, which aims to grant freehold titles to all communities across 25 districts,mitigate the effects of fiscal austerity on vulnerable groups.

In parallel with our economic recovery, the Government continues to take steps to heal past wounds and to address the residual issues affecting civilians from all communities arising from decades of conflict. These initiatives include rehabilitating ex-combatants and child soldiers, demining and developing the North and East, providing reparations, resettling the internally displaced, releasing private land to original owners, offering livelihood assistance, and continuing inquiries into missing persons.

To promote national unity and reconciliation among our diverse communities, domestic initiatives such as the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR), the Office for Overseas Sri Lankans, and the Interim Secretariat for the Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism (ISTRM) have been established. The details of these initiatives are included in our response to the Report.

As one of the oldest democracies in Asia, with Universal Adult Franchise since 1931, Sri Lanka has navigated its challenges while maintaining the stability of our democratic institutions and traditions. Our leaders have been held accountable through free and fair elections, and peaceful transitions of power have been consistently upheld. The upcoming Presidential election on 21st September reaffirms our commitment to this process.

It is most surprising that the report steps far out of its mandated sphere of human rights to comment on macro economics as well as financial and budgetary issues under sovereign parliamentary purview. Contrary to the reaction of the rest of our international partners, it projects a negative overview for Sri Lanka’s future, fails to recognize social stabilization and the preservation of parliamentary democracy overcoming recent severe challenges, the return to normalcy with the restoration of food, energy and public services and stability arising from significantly improved outlook. Furthermore, it makes no mention of the brutal acts of terrorism and human rights violations committed by the LTTE, including child recruitment, suicide bombings, assassination of democratically elected MPs and leaders in SL and abroad, and the disruption of democratic rights and freedoms of the people, especially in the North and the East.

I wish to once again emphasize Sri Lanka’s strong rejection of Resolution 51/1 and the external evidence-gathering mechanism established within OHCHR. This unproductive and unwarranted mechanism exceeds the Council's mandate, contradicts its founding principles, and polarizes the Council, undermining the progress we have made domestically. The selective and disproportionate focus on handpicked developing countries while ignoring critical situations elsewhere is unacceptable. We urge the Council to avoid politicization and double standards, and to focus on dire humanitarian situations that require urgent action to maintain its credibility.