Introduction to Human
Rights
What are human rights?
Simple: rights a person has because he/she is a human (SEAHRN, P.4).
Complex: Internationally recognized standards of how States should treat
individuals within their territories (SEAHRN, P.4).
What is a human?
When does one When does one stop Someone with
become a human? being human? conscience/conscious
(debates about (debates about brain ness/can act as a
conception & birth) function and mental human (mental and
capacity) social capacity)
What is a right?
A right: something that is due to you, or you
deserve.
▪ Freedom to do certain activities
Foundations of Human Rights
Human Rights
Legal Rights Moral Rights Social Rights
Reciprocal Relation between Duty-Bearer and Rights Holder
Duty Bearer
(respect,
protect, &
fulfil rights)
Fulfils
Responsibility Claim right
Rights Holder
(respect the rights
of other)
Positive
Duties State Negative
Duties
(primary duty-bearer)
State has duties to
Horizontal Protection
Fulfil
Vertical Protection
Respect Protect
refrain from interfering with take positive action to
protect individuals and groups
or curtailing the enjoyment facilitate the enjoyment of
against human rights abuses
of human rights human rights
Individuals (rights holder)
Fundamental Features and Concepts
Universality
• Human rights apply to all people, everywhere, simply because they are human.
Inherent
• Human rights are acquired at birth and do not need to be earned.
Inalienable
• Human rights cannot be taken away, transferred, or given up.
Dignity
• Human rights ensure that people are treated with respect and have a sense of worth.
• Example: The right to food is not just about calories but also about culturally appropriate and
dignified ways of eating.
Equality
• All people should be treated the same in terms of their rights, without discrimination.
Interdependent, Indivisible & Interrelated
• Rights are interdependent and interlinked, equally important, equally essential, reinforcing each other
Categories of Rights
Fundamental Rights
• Right to life, freedom from slavery and torture, non-discrimination (Art.1-6 of UDHR)
• Cannot be ignored or violated under any circumstances.
Rights in the Court System
• Ensures equal legal identity and justice
• Right to fair trial, presumption of innocence, freedom from arbitrary detention (Art.7-11 of UDHR)
Civil Rights
• Enables participation in society with dignity
• Right to privacy, movement, marriage, religion, freedom of expression, nationality (Art.12 -19 of UDHR)
• Protects against State interference in personal freedoms.
Political Rights
• Ensures participation in politics and a fair system
• Right to voting, forming/joining political parties, freedom of assembly and association (Art.20 -21 of UDHR)
Economic Rights
• Ensures financial security and work rights
• Right to work, fair wages, safe working environment, social security and leisure (Art.22-24 of UDHR).
Social Rights
• Rights to government services
• Right to healthcare, education, food, water, housing (Art.25-26 of UDHR)
Cultural Rights
• Right to participate in one’s culture (Artt.27 of UDHR)
• Includes language, religion, traditional customs.
Positive and Negative Duties
PO SITIV E D UTIES (DUTY TO D O) NEGATIVE D UTIES (DUTY TO R EFRAIN)
A duty to take action to protect, promote, or A duty to refrain from interfering with the
fulfill a right. exercise of a right.
Right to education Freedom of expression
government must build schools, provide Government must not censor speech
teachers, etc.
Economic, social & cultural rights Civil & political rights
Thank You
