Human rights are universally recognised moral principles or norms that establish standards of behaviour. They are often protected by national and international laws. They encompass a wide range of civil, political, economic, and social rights, such as the right to life, freedom of expression, and protection from enslavement.
During the course of their history, a number of philosophies and movements have contributed to the development of the concept of human rights. Some are based on religious or philosophical grounds, while others, like legal positivism, have rejected the notion that law must be moral to be lawful.
One of the most significant milestones in the modern understanding and international acceptance of human rights was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948. Its 30 articles set out fundamental rights to be universally respected and protected.
These core rights are indivisible and interdependent. Taking steps to improve one will often have a positive impact on the other. For example, addressing discrimination can help to promote other rights, such as the right to equality and the right to freedom from violence.
The United Nations has established a range of investigative bodies to respond to allegations of human rights violations around the world. The work of these bodies – together with that of national and international institutions, non-governmental organisations, and individuals – is essential to the pursuit of human rights for all people.
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