- Define and explain What Human Rights Are in your own words
- Use key terms such as human rights accurately
- Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
- Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic
Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity — to be safe, to learn, to speak and to be heard. Human rights are the basic freedoms and protections that belong to every person simply for being human. In this chapter you will discover where these rights were written down, what special rights children have, and why rights always come with responsibilities.
This lesson focuses on What Human Rights Are: introduces human rights as freedoms and protections that belong to every person.
Introduces human rights as freedoms and protections that belong to every person.
Key ideas
Rights belong to everyone
Human rights are universal, meaning they apply to all people in all countries, and inalienable, meaning they cannot be taken away — though they can be limited in specific situations, such as prison sentences decided by courts. They include civil and political rights like free speech and a fair trial, and economic and social rights like education and healthcare. No government grants these rights; governments are expected to respect and protect them.
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.
Key term — 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.
What are human rights?
Basic freedoms and protections belonging to every person simply for being human.
Answer: Basic freedoms and protections belonging to every person simply for being human.
- 'Children's rights matter less than adults' rights' Children's rights are fully human rights, plus extra protections because children are still developing. The UNCRC exists precisely because children need more safeguarding, not less.
- '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.
Practice
In 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris.
Because children are still developing and need special protection, provision and a say in decisions affecting them.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), the treaty guaranteeing children's rights.
Their shouting infringes classmates' right to learn; rights are limited by the rights of others and carry responsibilities.
Quick check
Which of these best defines "human rights"?
Give one example of a right and the responsibility that comes with it.
- What Human Rights Are: introduces human rights as freedoms and protections that belong to every person.
- Rights belong to everyone: Human rights are universal, meaning they apply to all people in all countries, and inalienable, meaning they cannot be taken away — though they can be limited in specific situations, such as prison sentences decided by courts.
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights: The UDHR is the landmark 1948 United Nations document setting out 30 articles of fundamental rights and freedoms for all people.
- Watch out for: 'Children's rights matter less than adults' rights'