- Define and explain Rights and Responsibilities in your own words
- Use key terms such as responsibility accurately
- Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
- Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic
This lesson focuses on Rights and Responsibilities: shows how rights come with responsibilities, using real-world rights issues.
Shows how rights come with responsibilities, using real-world rights issues.
Key ideas
1948: the world writes them down
After the horrors of the Second World War, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Paris in 1948. Drafted by a committee chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt, it lists 30 articles covering everything from freedom of thought to the right to rest and leisure. The Declaration is not itself a binding law, but it inspired binding treaties and many national constitutions, making it one of the most influential documents in history.
Children have their own convention
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, recognises that children need special protection as they grow. It groups rights into protection (from harm and exploitation), provision (of education, healthcare and an adequate standard of living) and participation (having a say in decisions that affect them). It is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history, shaping child-protection laws in countries around the world.
Key term — responsibility: A responsibility is a duty that comes with a right — for example, your right to speak freely carries the responsibility not to bully others with your words.
A pupil claims their 'right to play' means they can shout during lessons. Explain the flaw in this argument.
Their shouting infringes classmates' right to learn; rights are limited by the rights of others and carry responsibilities.
Answer: Their shouting infringes classmates' right to learn; rights are limited by the rights of others and carry responsibilities.
- 'Rights mean I can do whatever I want' Rights always have limits and come with responsibilities. Your rights end where someone else's begin — free speech does not cover bullying or hate speech.
- 'The UDHR is a law that police enforce directly' The UDHR is a declaration of principles, not a directly enforceable law. Its power comes from inspiring binding treaties and national laws that courts can enforce.
Practice
The right to free speech carries the responsibility not to bully or spread hate with your words.
Basic freedoms and protections belonging to every person simply for being human.
In 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), the treaty guaranteeing children's rights.
Quick check
Which of these best defines "responsibility"?
Why do children need their own rights convention?
- Rights and Responsibilities: shows how rights come with responsibilities, using real-world rights issues.
- 1948: the world writes them down: After the horrors of the Second World War, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Paris in 1948.
- human rights: Human rights are basic freedoms and protections that belong to every person, everywhere, simply because they are human — such as the right to life, liberty and education.
- Watch out for: 'Rights mean I can do whatever I want'