What are human rights?

‘First they [the Nazis] came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.’

Martin Niemoeller, Pastor, German Evangelical (Lutheran) Church

Human rights are about the respect for each individual human life and for human dignity. Ideas about human rights can be found in different philosophies and religions throughout history. However, in the last 60 years, after the horrors of the Second World War, greater international attention has been given to human rights.

Human rights can protect us from the actions of others that could threaten our freedom or dignity. The idea behind human rights is that we all have human rights simply because we are human. It does not matter what race, colour, sex or religion we are or how wealthy we are, human rights mean that we are entitled to the same rights as every other person. We say that these rights are inalienable because no person or state has the right to take them away from us for any reason.

Why are human rights important?

Human rights are important in the relationships that exist between individuals and the government that has power over them. The government exercises power over its people. However, human rights mean that this power is limited. States have to look after the basic needs of the people and protect some of their freedoms. Some of the most important features of human rights are the following:

• They are for everyone.
• They are internationally guaranteed.
• They are protected by law.
• They focus on the dignity of the human being.
• They protect individuals and groups.
• They cannot be taken away.