The idea that every person has inherent worth and dignity is an ancient and universally accepted principle. Yet the world is still plagued by abuse and inequality.
Human rights are a set of moral principles that establish standards for human behaviour and are protected by international law. They encompass a wide range of civil, political, economic, and social rights and are inalienable, meaning that they belong to every person simply by virtue of being a human being. People’s human rights are violated whenever they are not respected, valued, and protected. Governments are responsible for guaranteeing the enjoyment of these rights by providing services and laws that protect them.
Governments often struggle with how to balance individual rights with collective needs and traditions. This is especially true when it comes to women’s rights, which can conflict with traditional cultural values or with the prevailing norm of men’s authority over their families and communities.
Nonetheless, progress has been made in the protection of people’s human rights over the last century. Women have gained many of the same freedoms as men and are now more visible in society, including the right to vote and sit in parliament. Rights that are specific to certain groups of people, such as indigenous peoples’ rights to their ancestral lands, are also recognised and protected.
Each year, the UN Human Rights Council conducts a review of all countries’ compliance with international human rights law. These reviews are led by independent experts who have either a country or thematic mandate and who are elected for three-year terms.
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