Ethics project

Mateo M.de la Riva, Bosco Brihuega

Index
What are the HHRR? Origins, common
characteristics, UDHR 1945, International organisms
that protect them
Classification into different types
International and National mechanisms which
protect these Human Rights
Cases in which these fundamental rights have
been violated
Bibliography.
 What are the
HHRR?
Human rights in some way are that we deserve certain things
just because we are alive. Everyone is born with the right to a
life of equality, dignity and respect.
Human rights are a way of meeting our responsibilities to each
other. They help us treat each other fairly and show us what it
means to respect each other.
Human rights are protected by a set of laws. These laws tell us
how governments must treat people and how organizations and
people must treat each other.
Origins of HHRR The idea of human rights emerged from a variety of historical events. The earliest societies,
such those in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, possessed very basic rights and safeguards. A
precedent for the rule of law was established by the 1215 Magna Carta, which restricted the
authority of kings. Thinkers such as John Locke, who were part of the Enlightenment
movement in the 17th and 18th centuries, highlighted the importance of government protection
of natural rights.

The concepts of universal rights were advanced by the French Revolution (1789) and the
American Revolution (1776). The United Nations' 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights
marked a significant milestone in the establishment of an international norm for human rights.
Since then, these rights have been strengthened and formalized by international treaties and
conventions. The idea of human rights is ever evolving.
Characteristics
Here are some of the characteristics of human rights:
Universal: Human rights belong to all of us, regardless of who we are or where we live, and they
cannot be taken away.
Inalienable: Human rights are fundamental rights "to which a person is inherently entitled simply
because she or he is a human being" and which are "inherent in all human beings"
Egalitarian: Human rights are the same for everyone, regardless of their age, ethnic origin,
location, language, religion, ethnicity, or any other status.
Protected by law: There are laws in most countries of the world that force governments to
respect the basic human rights of citizens, even when they may be unwilling to do so.
Interdependent and indivisible: All human rights are interdependent and indivisible, meaning that
the realization of one right often depends, wholly or in part, upon the realization of others.
Subject to limitations: The exercise of human rights is subject to limitations as determined by
law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms
of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order, and the general
welfare in a democratic society.
UDHR 1948
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a
document that was adopted by the United Nations
General Assembly on December 10, 1948. It was
created in response to the atrocities committed
during World War II and was designed to establish a
common standard of human rights for all people and
all nations. The UDHR consists of 30 articles that
outline the basic human rights that all people should
enjoy. These include the right to life, liberty, and
security of person; the right to freedom of thought,
conscience, and religion; the right to work and
education; and the right to participate in
government.
International International organizations protect human rights by taking steps to ensure that third parties
Organisms that do not interfere with their enjoyment.
The United Nations (UN) is a key organization that promotes and protects human rights.
protect them The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN in 1948, as mentioned
previously, is a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is another
important organization that works to protect human rights. They promote respect for
human rights and freedoms through education and progressive measures.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty

International also play a crucial role in protecting human rights. They investigate and
expose human rights abuses, and work to change policies and laws to ensure justice is
served.
Types of Human Rights.
Human rights can be divided into different categories, such as civil and
political rights, economic and social rights, and cultural rights.

Civil and Political Rights: such as the right to life, liberty, and freedom
of expression.
Economic and Social Rights: such as the right to education, healthcare,
and social security.
Cultural Rights: such as the right to participate in cultural life and the
right to enjoy and access cultural heritage.
Solidarity Rights: These rights include the right to non-discrimination
and equal protection of the law.
 International and National mechanisms which
protect these Human Rights
There are several international and national mechanisms that protect human rights. Some of these mechanisms are:
.
Treaty-based bodies: These are human rights monitoring mechanisms within the United Nations system. The Treaty
Bodies monitor the implementation of human rights obligations by State Parties globally and translate universal norms
into guidance and practical measures to achieve better realization of rights for all stakeholders. The Treaty Body
system provides guidance on implementation and serves as an early warning mechanism for States and the
international community

Charter-based bodies: These are also human rights monitoring mechanisms within the United Nations system. Charter
bodies assess the compliance of all UN member states with their human rights obligations under the UN Charter
 International and National mechanisms which
protect these Human Rights
Core international human rights treaties: State parties assume obligations under international law to respect the
. rights guaranteed to them and to hold themselves accountable for failing to do so. The UN has designated nine of
these treaties as core international human rights instruments, but there are many additional treaties and soft law
instruments in place to safeguard human rights.
Individual complaints procedures: These procedures provide new avenues for individuals to pursue remedies and
justice for violations of their rights
National human rights institutions: These institutions are established by governments to promote and protect
human rights at the national level
Civil society organizations: These organizations play a crucial role in promoting and protecting human rights by
advocating for policy changes, monitoring human rights abuses, and providing support to victims of human rights
violations
Cases in which these rights have been
violated
Apartheid in South Africa (1948-1994): The policy of apartheid institutionalized racial segregation and
discrimination against non-white South Africans. It led to systemic human rights abuses, including arbitrary
arrests, torture, and killings.
Holocaust during World War II (1939-1945): The systematic genocide committed by Nazi Germany led to the
mass extermination of six million Jews, along with millions of others, including disabled individuals, and
politicians.
Genocide in Rwanda (1994): The Rwandan Genocide resulted in the mass slaughter of an estimated
800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus within a span of 100 days. The international community was widely
criticized for its failure to intervene and prevent the genocide.
 Bibliography
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NCSU. (n.d.). Types of human rights. Types and Generations of Human Rights. https://faculty.chass.ncsu.edu/slatta/hi216/hrtypes.htm

PerplexityAi. (2023). perplexity. [modelo de lenguaje grande] https://www.perplexity.ai

United Nations. (n.d.). Human rights. Human Rights. https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/human-

rights#:~:text=The%20United%20Nations%20has%20defined,in%20carrying%20out%20their%20responsibilities.

Right to education. (n.d.). International Human Rights Mechanisms. International Human Rights Mechanism. https://www.right-to-education.org/page/international-human-rights-
mechanisms#:~:text=The%20HRC%20has%20two%20human,Review%20and%20the%20Complaint%20Procedure.&text=The%20Universal%20Periodic%20Review%20(UPR,of%20all%2
0UN%20Member%20States.

What are human rights? - BC's Office of the Human Rights Commissioner. (2023, March 29). BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner. https://bchumanrights.ca/human-
rights/what-are-human-rights-2/

OHCHR. (n.d.). Instruments & Mechanisms | OHCHR - UN Human Rights Office. Instruments and Mechanisms. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-and-mechanisms
GPC. (n.d.). Un human rights mechanisms for protection clusters: Treaty Bodies. UN Human Rights Mechanisms for Protection Clusters: Treaty Bodies.

https://www.globalprotectioncluster.org/index.php/publications/750/training-materials/tip-sheet-fact-sheet/un-human-rights-mechanisms-protection

Day, J. (2022, January 5). Human rights: Definition, types, issues & violations. What Are Human Rights: Definition, Types, Issues & Violations. https://www.liberties.eu/en/stories/human-
rights-definition/43935