Human rights are things that every person has just by being born – like the right to life and the right to food. These rights cannot be taken away from people, even when they do bad things. They are fundamental to our dignity and they form the basis for a world of freedom, justice and peace.
When governments fail to respect and uphold the universal values of human rights, it can cause enormous suffering. These abuses range from discrimination and intolerance to torture and the systematic elimination of a group of people. They include censorship and the suppression of free speech; the infliction of physical or mental harm on individuals; the illegal detention and imprisonment of people; child labour; and forced marriage. Human rights are also indivisible and interdependent: making progress on one set of rights makes it easier to advance the others; while violating one type of human rights can have a negative impact on all other types.
It is important to understand that human rights are not a Western creation or a 20th century invention, but that they can be found throughout the world in many cultures and traditions. For example, in ancient China the teachings of Confucius – ‘what you do not want for yourself do not do to others’ – helped lay the foundations for human rights ideas.
Taking action to promote human rights can be challenging, but it is easier when you work together with other people. You can look for groups doing this work in your area or join online communities that connect you to global movements. You can help by raising awareness, writing letters for people who are being denied their rights, or volunteering to support them.
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