Human rights are the basic values that recognise the inherent dignity and worth of every person. They are the foundation for a world of freedom, justice and peace. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted in 1948 in response to the barbarous acts that outraged humankind during World War II. It was the first time that all nations agreed on a common set of standards to protect people from oppression and injustice.
The UDHR explains that human rights are universal, indivisible and interrelated. It also states that everyone has the right to freedom and security of person, including the freedom to change his or her beliefs and religion; freedom of expression and assembly, and freedom of movement within a country; equality and non-discrimination, and the right to privacy. It also includes the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of the individual, including food, clothing, housing and medical care.
Almost all societies have developed ideas and codes of behaviour that promote human rights. They include respect and love for one another, the principle of non-discrimination – everyone has equal value – tolerance and the principle of equality, based on the idea that each individual is unique. The teachings of Confucius, who lived in c 500 bce, are particularly influential, as he urged us to “do not do unto others what you would not wish for yourself”.
Examples of human rights violations are all too familiar – from the mass killing of civilians and the bombing of cities in Iraq and Afghanistan to the ongoing violence in Yemen and Myanmar and the forced displacement of over 20 million people by conflict in Syria. Addressing these situations requires sustained global action, legal and humanitarian intervention, advocacy and education.