Human rights are inherent to all human beings, regardless of their nationality, gender, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status.

Human rights are the rights we all enjoy simply by being human. They are not granted by any state. These universal rights are inherent to all people, regardless of their nationality, gender, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status. They are diverse and range from the most fundamental right, the right to life, to those that make life worth living, such as the rights to food, education, work, health, and freedom.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, was the first legal document to set out the fundamental human rights to be universally protected. The Declaration, which marked its 70th anniversary in 2018, continues to form the foundation of all international human rights law. Its thirty articles provide the principles for current and future human rights conventions, treaties, and other legal instruments.

Together with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights forms the International Bill of Human Rights.

Universal and inalienable rights

The principle of universality of human rights is the cornerstone of international human rights law. This means that all individuals are equally entitled to human rights. This principle, first articulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, has been reiterated in numerous international human rights conventions, declarations, and resolutions.

Human rights are inalienable. They should never be taken away, except in specific situations and in accordance with due process of law. For example, a person’s right to liberty may be restricted if they are found guilty of a crime by a court of law.

Human rights are interdependent and indivisible

All human rights are interdependent and indivisible. This means that the full enjoyment of one set of rights cannot be achieved without the other. For example, progress in civil and political rights facilitates the exercise of economic, social, and cultural rights. Conversely, the violation of economic, social, and cultural rights can negatively affect many other rights.

Human rights are equal and non-discriminatory

Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” The principle of non-discrimination set out in Article 2 guarantees this equality.

Non-discrimination is a fundamental principle of international human rights law. It is enshrined in all core human rights treaties. It is also central to two key instruments, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

Rights and obligations

All States have ratified at least one of the nine core international human rights treaties, as well as at least one of the nine optional protocols. Around 80 percent of States have ratified four or more instruments. This means that States are legally bound under international law to respect, protect, and fulfil human rights.

The obligation to respect means that States must refrain from interfering with or restricting the enjoyment of human rights.
The obligation to protect requires States to safeguard individuals and groups from human rights violations.
The obligation to fulfil means that States must take positive measures to facilitate the enjoyment of fundamental human rights.

While we are entitled, as individuals, to enjoy human rights, we also have a responsibility to uphold and defend the human rights of others.

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