Human rights

This topic speaks about human rights, what it is, how human rights are related to us and how to protect them

Basic values and principles of HR

“It was never the people who complained of the universality of human rights, nor did the people consider human rights as a Western or Northern imposition. It was often their leaders who did so.” Václav Havel

Human rights are based on two key values:

  • human dignity
    this term is used to signify that a human being has an innate right to be valued and to receive ethical treatment.
  • equality
    human rights are universal - it means that people are equal in their rights, irrespective of aspects including their gender, ethnicity, nationality or belief.

Exercise

Out of these two basic human rights values we can draw other values - please match them with their definitions:

It is an important part of human dignity and it is related to what we call empowerment of human beings. If someone is forced to go against her/his will, it undermines her/his human dignity.
Correct answer: Freedom to choose and decide
If we lack the appreciation of the individuality of somebody or tolerance, this person’s dignity can be contested.
Correct answer: Respect for others
This value is derived from the equality value and the fact that human rights belong to each of us irrespective of the background we have, it also includes the value of tolerance within its frame.
Correct answer: Non-discrimination
This value ensures that all of us equally have the right to be treated in an equal and fair way.
Correct answer: Justice
This value is about understanding the fact that our actions often relate to others, therefore we have to take them into consideration and always consider whether they harm the rights of the others.
Correct answer: Responsibility
Submit

In addition to these values which the human rights are built on, there are also other key principles, which all the countries are obliged to follow.

Principle no. 1: Universality

Human rights are universal and inalienable to us. All people everywhere around the globe are entitled to human rights without any limitations. This principle is entrenched in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” (Taken and adapted from UNFPA website)

Principle no. 2: Individisibility

Human rights are indivisible. Whether they relate to civil, cultural, economic, political or social issues, human rights are inherent to the dignity of every human being. Consequently, all human rights have equal status, and cannot be positioned in a hierarchical order. Denial of one right invariably impedes enjoyment of other rights. Thus, the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living cannot be compromised at the expense of other rights, such as the right to health or the right to education. (Taken and adapted from UNFPA website)

Principle no. 3: Interdependence and Inalienability

Human rights are interdependent and interrelated. Each one contributes to the realization of a person’s human dignity through the satisfaction of his or her developmental, physical, psychological and spiritual needs. The fulfillment of one right often depends, wholly or in part, upon the fulfillment of others. For instance, fulfillment of the right to health may depend, in certain circumstances, on fulfillment of the right to development, to education or to information. (Taken and adapted from UNFPA website)

Questions to reflect on

  • What does human dignity mean for you?
  • Do you agree with inalienability of human rights?
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