Human Rights
INTRODUCTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Meaning :- Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth
until death.
Human Rights are those rights which an individual being an individual is entitled to and which in civilized society
are recognized and enforced. So it is all that attitude of mankind the breach of which would involve some moral
turpitude. Human right is a form of human conduct which law takes into account and influence upon the interest
of others.
o They can never be taken away, although they can sometimes be restricted, for example if a person
breaks the law, or national securities.
o The basic Human rights are Right to life, right to dignity, fairness, equality, respect and independence.
Definitions :- There are some definitions from different jurists:-
According to the former Secretary General of the United Nation;
"Human rights constitutes a common language of humanity
o According to Susan Moller Okin:- "Human rights as a claim to something of crucial importance for
human life"
o According to Dr. Purohit :- "Human rights are the basic values which under lie that human beings, born
in any part of the world, are equal in dignity and rights".
o OBJECTS OF HUMAN RIGHTS
o To Protect Human Being
o To develop individual self respect
o To value human dignity
o To promote respect, understanding and appreciation of diversity
o To promote democracy, Social Justice and friendship among people and nations.
SOURCES OF HUMAN RIGHTS
1) Universal declaration of human rights
2)International treaties and covenants
3)International Customs
4)Judicial Decisions
5)Official Documents
KINDS OF HUMAN RIGHTS
1. Civil and Political Rights
2. Economic and Social Rights
3. Collective Rights
1)Civil and Political Rights
Rights contained in the covenants of Civil and Political come under this category that see their origin in the
13th century in Magna Carta.
*E.g:- Right to life, liberty, right to privacy, right to freedom from torture and inhuman treatment.
2) Economic and Social Rights :- These rights refer to economic and social rights which are considered to have
been originated in the Russian Revolution of 1917 and in the Paris peace conference of 1919.
* E.g:- Food, Clothes, House and adequate standard of living and freedom from hunger etc.
3) Collective Rights: - Individuals are also members of such units, groups or communities and state, therefore,
international law not only recognizes inalienable rights of individuals, but also recognizes certain collective rights.
* E.g:- Right to self determination, rights to peace and development etc.
Introduction of Human Rights | Law Guru
CONCEPT OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Law Guru
o Magna Carte:- Magna Carta also known as "Great Charter", is a charter of rights agreed to by King John
as England, on 15th June 1215, to make peace between the unpopular king and a group of people, it
promised the protection of church rights.
o Petition of Rights, 1628 :- A statement of Civil liberties sent by the English parliament o Charles 1.
Human rights were improved or enhanced in the petition.
o The Bill of Rights, 1689 :- Is a landmark Act in the constitutional law of England that sets out certain
basic civil rights.
o *The Virginia Declaration, 1776:- This declaration specified a number of fundamental rights of man. The
Virginia declaration of rights affirmed that all men are by nature equally free and independent and have
certain inherent rights.
o Constitution of USA 1787 :- Constitution of USA 1787 with amendments in 1789, 1865, 1869 and 1919
specified a number of fundamental rights of man.
o The French declaration, 1789 :- Inspired by the American declaration of independence, the newly
formed National Assembly proclaimed the declaration of the rights of men and citizen.
o Universal declaration of Human Rights 1948:- Is a historic documents that was adopted y United
Nations General Assembly, UDHR is a milestone document in the history of Human rights, it sets out,
for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.
