Concept of Human Rights

What are human rights?

oHuman rights are rights inherent to all human beings,
whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national
or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other
status. We are all equally entitled to our human rights
without discrimination.

oHuman rights are defined as all those rights which are

essential for the protection and maintenance of dignity of
individuals and create conditions in which every human
being can develop his personality.

Categories of Human Rights

Civil Rights
Pertains to rights belonging to a person by reason of
citizenship.
oRight to Family Life
oRight to Education
oRight to Personal Freedom
oRight to Religious Freedom

oRight to Freedom of Thought and Expression

oRight to Freedom Movement
oFreedom of Press
oRight to Equality
oRight to Justice

Political Rights
Enables the people to participate in running or influencing
the administration of the government.
oRight to Vote
oRight to get elected
oRight to Petition

Economic Rights
Pertains to access to resources
oRight to work
oRight to Adequate Wages
oRight to Property

oRight to Rest and Leisure

oRight to Economic and Social Security
oRight to Fixed hours at work

Social Rights
Relates to living together or enjoying life in communities
oRight to Food
oRight to Health
oRight to Housing

Cultural Rights
Ensures the well-being of the individual and foster the
preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of arts,
manners and way of living of a group

Characteristics of Human Rights

Universal
Unconditional
Inalienable
Equal Rights
Not forfeitable

Interdependent
Limited
Not politically neutral
Multidimensional

Why are Human Rights Important?

Human rights give the people the freedom to choose how
they live, how they express themselves, and what kind of
government they want to support, among many other
things. Human rights protect people against abuse by
those who are more powerful.