A fundamental premise of human rights is that every person has inherent value and dignity. However, that principle is often skewed by societies that prioritize their own interests over the rights and needs of others. The result is that many people do not enjoy the freedoms and protections they deserve simply because of who they are.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights outlines the rights that everyone is entitled to, simply because they are human. This includes both negative rights (such as the right to life) and positive rights (such as the right to a free education). It is generally accepted that governments are responsible for protecting their citizens’ human rights. However, many governments are failing to do so.
Human rights violations are a complex issue, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, there are some key things that all parties should be aware of.
It is important to understand that human rights are not a privilege – they are a legal entitlement. This means that they can be legally defended against those who abuse them or try to take them away. It also means that individuals have responsibilities to exercise their rights with consideration for the rights of others.
The concept of human rights has evolved through a series of different philosophical and religious theories. Some, such as natural law theory, argue that rights are a product of innate human instincts derived from nature or divine revelation. Others, such as anthropological and sociological approaches to the law, argue that human rights are codified through the processes of cultural evolution or rule-setting.