Guide Note

Human rights are "the basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled." This universal definition of intrinsic human rights is not accepted by all nations and societies. Some argue that human rights are culturally relative, but many countries around the world have signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which lists rights that apply to all humans equally.

Fast Facts

1. Can be defined as negative (the "freedom from" something) or positive (the "right to" something)
2. Said to come from God, nature, morality or law
3. Gained international attention after World War II and the human rights abuses of the Nazi Party during the Holocaust
4. Enumerated in Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948
5. Non-Governmental Organizations instrumental in promoting human rights internationally
6. Humanitarian law governs state conduct in wartime, while human rights law governs state conduct at all times

Human rights are sometimes categorized into three generations. First-generation rights include political and civil rights, such as the freedoms of thought, speech and religion. They also include physical integrity rights, such as the rights to life and liberty and the freedom from torture. The U.S. Bill of Rights consists almost solely of rights in this category.

Second-generation subsistence rights are economic, social and cultural rights. Governments began to recognize them after World War I. They include the rights to food, shelter, education and health care.

Third-generation solidarity rights include collective rights and concerns that are not bound by individual societies. According to some definitions, this category encompasses the rights to peace, a clean environment and self-determination.