Human Rights: What are They?
By Kelsey Holmes, Greenheart Club Intern
“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.” – Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1
December 10th is International Human Rights Day and is celebrates the day that the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. This year will mark the launch of a year-long campaign for the 50th anniversary of the two International Covenants on Human Rights adopted by the UNGA in December 1966: “Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always.” It aims to raise and promote awareness and revolves around the concept of freedoms as human rights including freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
First, though, we need to answer a very important question: what exactly are human rights? A quick Google search says that the noun human right means “a right that is believed to belong justifiably to every person.” Merriam-Webster goes a little more in depth and defines human rights as “rights (as freedom from unlawful imprisonment, torture, and execution) regarded as belonging fundamentally to all persons.”
The international community adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in an attempt to define just what exactly in encompassed by the term. Here is what, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, people mean when they talk about human rights:
- They are universal and inalienable: human rights are for everyone around the world, in any political, economic, and cultural systems and they cannot be taken away.
- They are interdependent and indivisible. Whether they are political, civil, economic, social or collective, the improvement of one leads to the improvement of the others.
- They are equal and non-discriminatory: they apply to everyone, regardless of age, race, sex, ect.
- They are both rights and obligations: states are obligated to respect, protect, and fulfill the human rights of their citizens and as individuals it is our responsibility to respect the human rights of those around us.
Still unsure? Watch this video from UN Human Rights to learn more!
Equality, understanding, and the freedom to promote cross-cultural connection are at the core of Greenheart’s mission. What are some ways that you exercise your rights?