KOMAL ZAHRA

Characteristics of Human Rights

• Human Rights are Universal:
• Human rights are universal because everyone is born with and
possesses the same rights, regardless of where they live, their
gender or race, or their religious, cultural, or ethnic background.
• Human Rights are Inherent:
• Human Rights are inherent because they are not granted by any
person or authority. Human rights do not have to be bought,
earned, or inherited; they belong to people simply because they
are human.
• Human Rights are Inalienable:
• Human rights are conferred on an individual due to the very nature
of his existence. They are inherent in all individuals irrespective of
their caste, creed, religion, sex and nationality. Human rights are
conferred to an individual even after his death.
• Human Rights are Indivisible:
• Human Rights are not capable of being divided. They cannot be
denied even when other rights have already been enjoyed.
• Human Rights are Essential and Necessary:
• In the absence of human rights, the moral, physical, social, and
spiritual welfare of an individual is impossible. Human rights are
also essential as they provide suitable conditions for the material
and moral upliftment of the people. Human rights are necessary
for the fulfillment of the purpose of human life.
• Human Rights are in Connection with Human Dignity:
• All individuals are equal as human beings and by virtue of the
inherent dignity of each human person. There should not be any
discrimination on the grounds of race, color, ethnicity, gender, age,
language, sexual orientation, religion, political or other opinion,
national, social or geographical origin, disability, property, birth or
other status.
• Human Rights are Interdependent and Interrelated:
• Human Rights are interdependent because the fulfilment or
exercise of one cannot be had without the realization of the
other.
• Human Rights are Participative and Inclusive:
• All people have the right to participate in and access
information relating to the decision-making processes that
affect their lives and well-being.
• Human Rights are Dynamic:
• Human rights go on expanding and changing with socio-eco-
cultural and political developments within the State. Judges have
to interpret laws in such ways as are in tune with the changed
social values.
• Human Rights Limit State Power:
• States and other duty-bearers are answerable for the observance
of human rights.
 Evolution of Human rights
• IDEALISATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS → creating an idea of human rights as a
standard necessary for people to live with dignity and equality •
• CONCEPTUALISATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS → creation of complete human
rights concept concerning e.g., basis and rules of this conception
• NORMATIVISATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS → creating legal provisions
concerning human rights protection
• CONSCITUALISATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS → creating constitutional
guarantees of human rights
• INTERNATIONALISATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS → creating international
treaties concerning human rights protection; creating an international organizations
concerning human rights protection
CATEGORIES OF HUMAN RIGHTS:
• Civil – the right as a citizen, as a member of society
• Political – the right to vote, to freedom of speech and to obtain
information
• Economic – the right to participate in an economy that benefits all;
and to desirable work
• Social – the right to education, health care, food, clothing, shelter
and social security
• Cultural – the right to freedom of religion, and to speak the
language, and to practice the culture
of one’s choice
Categorization of Human Rights

• Civil and political rights

• Social, economic and cultural rights
• Solidarity rights
Civil and political rights

1. right to life
2. freedom from torture
3. right to privacy
4. freedom of thought, conscience and religious belief
5. freedom of assembly
6. right to fair trial
Social, economic and cultural rights

1. right to strike
2. right to work
3. right to social security
4. right to education
5. right to participation in cultural life
Solidarity rights

1. right to peace
2. right to development
3. right to healthy environment
4. right humanitarian assistance
 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
2. Human rights protect vulnerable groups from abuse
3. Human rights allow people to stand up to societal corruption
4. Human rights encourage freedom of speech and expression
5. Human rights give people the freedom to practice their religion (or not practice any)
6. Human rights allows people to love who they choose
7. Human rights encourage equal work opportunities
8. Human rights give people access to education
9. Human rights protect the environment
10. Human rights provide a universal standard that holds governments accountable
 Significance
How do human rights help you?
• Human rights are relevant to all of us, not just those who face
repression or mistreatment.
• They protect you in many areas of your day-to-day life, including:
• your right to have and express your own opinions
• your right to an education
• your right to a private and family life
• your right not to be mistreated or wrongly punished by the state
 Significance
• Values of tolerance, equality and respect can help reduce friction within
society. Putting human rights ideas into practice can helps us create the kind
of society we want to live in.
• In recent decades, there has been a tremendous growth in how we think
about and apply human rights ideas. This has 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 in society - in the family, the community, schools, the workplace, in
politics and in international relations. It is vital therefore that people
everywhere should 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.
The responsibilities at all levels in
relation to human rights:
a. To respect (abstain from violating the human rights of
the individual),
b. To protect (protect the human rights of the individual
from violations from others),
c. To fulfil (develop and/or sustain systems that can fulfil
human rights),
d. To promote (further the understanding of and respect for
human rights).
 Rights at local, community, national and international level
In the area of civil and political rights
• Right to life
• Freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment
• Freedom from slavery, servitude and forced labor
• Right to liberty and security of person
• Right of detained persons to be treated with humanity
• Freedom of movement
• Right to a fair trial
• Right to recognition as a person before the law
• Right to privacy
• Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
• Freedom of opinion and expression
• Prohibition of propaganda for war and of incitement to national, racial
or religious hatred
• Freedom of assembly
• Freedom of association
• Right to marry and found a family
• Right to take part in the conduct of public affairs, vote, be elected and
have access to public office
• Right to equality before the law and non-discrimination
In the area of economic, social and cultural rights
• Right to work
• Right to just and favorable conditions of work
• Right to form and join trade unions
• Right to social security
• Protection of the family
• Right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food, clothing and
housing
• Right to health
• Right to education.
In the area of collective rights
Right of peoples to:
• Self-determination
• Development
• Free use of their wealth and natural resources
• Peace
• A healthy environment
Other collective rights:
• Rights of national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities
• Rights of indigenous peoples.