The Magna Carta, 1215.

The Magna Carta, also known as the Great Charter, of 1215 is the most significant constitutional
document of all human history. King John of England granted the Magna Carta to the English barons on
15th June 1215. The main theme of it was protection against the arbitrary acts by the king. The 63
clauses of the Charter guaranteed basic civic and legal rights to citizens, and protected the barons from
unjust taxes. The English Church too gained freedom from royal interferences.

2. The English Bill of Rights, 1689.

enacted on December 16, 1689, by the British Parliament. The Bill of Rights codified the customary laws,
and clarified the rights and liberties of the citizens.
.3. American Declaration of Independence, 1776.

The first colonies to revolt against England were the thirteen States of America. These states declared
their independence on 4th July 1776 The declaration of independence has great significance in the
history of mankind as it justified the right to revolt against a government that no longer guaranteed the
man’s natural and inalienable rights.

4. U.s bill of rights , 1791

The U.S. Bill of Rights is a collection of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. It was
ratified in 1791 and guarantees certain fundamental rights and freedoms to the American people. These
rights include freedom of speech, religion, and the press, the right to bear arms, protection against
unreasonable searches and seizures, the right to a fair trial, and protection against cruel and unusual
punishment, among others , it serves as a safeguard for individual liberties

5. The French declaration of the right of man and of the citizen , 1789

Its a fundamental document of the French Revolution. It was adopted by the National Constituent
Assembly on August 26, 1789, and outlined the basic principles and rights that all individuals should
possess.

The declaration emphasized the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. It stated that all men are
born free and equal in rights, and that these rights include liberty, property, security, and resistance to
oppression. It also proclaimed the principle of the separation of powers and the right to participate in
the making of laws.

6 declaration of international rights of man , 1929

also known as the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen," was a document adopted by
the League of Nations in 1929. It aimed to establish a set of universal human rights principles that would
apply to all individuals, regardless of their nationality or citizenship. After World War I, questions about
human rights and fundamental freedoms began to be raised. The Declaration declared that
fundamental rights of citizen

7.The UN Charter, 1945.

The United Nations Charter was drafted, approved and unanimously adopted by all the delegates of the
51 states, who attended the United Nations Conference at San Francisco. The UN Charter contains
provisions for the promotion and protection of human rights. The importance of the Charter lies in the
fact that it is the first official document in which the use of ‘human rights’ and which also recognized
the respect for fundamental freedom The Charter outlines the main goals of the UN, including
maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights, fostering social progress, and
facilitating cooperation among nations. The Charter is based on principles such as sovereign equality of
states, peaceful settlement of disputes, non-interference in domestic affairs, and respect for human
rights.

8. The universal declaration of human rights , 1948

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document adopted by the United
Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. It is a comprehensive declaration that sets out the
fundamental rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled, regardless of their nationality,
race, gender, religion, or any other status.

The UDHR consists of 30 articles that cover a wide range of human rights, including civil, political,
economic, social, and cultural rights. Some of the key rights enshrined in the declaration include the
right to life, liberty, and security of person; the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; the
right to work and to fair wages; the right to education; and the right to participate in the cultural life of
the community.

The UDHR is not legally binding, but it has been widely recognized as a foundational document in the
field of human rights. It has served as a source of inspiration for the development of international
human rights law and has influenced the drafting of numerous national constitutions and laws.

The UDHR reflects the principle that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. It
emphasizes the importance of respecting and promoting human rights for the well-being and dignity of
individuals and for the advancement of societies as a whole. The declaration continues to be relevant
today as a guiding document for the protection and promotion of human rights worldwide

9. International conversation on human rights

The International Covenants on Human Rights are two international treaties adopted by the United
Nations General Assembly in 1966. They consist of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

The ICCPR focuses on civil and political rights, including the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of
religion, and the right to a fair trial. It also prohibits torture, slavery, and arbitrary detention. The ICCPR
establishes mechanisms for individuals to file complaints if their rights are violated.

The ICESCR addresses economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the right to work, the right to
education, and the right to health. It recognizes the importance of social security, adequate housing,
and the right to participate in cultural life. The ICESCR emphasizes the obligation of states to
progressively realize these rights.

Both covenants are legally binding on the states that have ratified them. They have been widely ratified
and are considered fundamental instruments in the protection and promotion of human rights globally.
Human rights can be broadly classified on five bases. They are:

y Civil Human Rights

y Political Human Rights

y Economic Human Rights

y Social and Cultural Human Rights

y Development Oriented Human Rights