In short, human rights are freedoms that every person – regardless of location, state, race or culture – deserves. They are the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and are protected by international treaties that countries sign up to.
States and other duty-bearers must respect, protect and fulfill these rights. This means they must not violate them – like using torture in criminal investigations or forcibly employing children – and they must also not ignore or fail to act on complaints from individuals whose rights have been violated.
Some human rights are ‘absolute’, meaning that they can never be violated, while others have to be balanced against each other, for example free speech must be limited when it could incite violence or harm. Other human rights are ‘universal’, meaning that they should apply to everyone, for example, the prohibition against female genital mutilation which is still practised in some cultures, even though it is considered a violation of women’s rights.
Individuals can promote human rights by supporting and advocating for them, but it’s best to work with groups that share your values and who have similar goals as you. This way you can be more effective and avoid burning out – especially when fighting against human rights violations is a long-term struggle, not something that will be solved overnight. Donating money is one of the most important things you can do to support these efforts, as it helps organizations provide aid in crisis situations, lobby governments to take action on human rights and create programs that empower disenfranchised people. Before donating, be sure to research organizations carefully by looking at their transparency reports or searching online for reviews.
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