What Are Human Rights

Universal and inalienable

Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible.

Universal human rights are often expressed and guaranteed by law, in the forms of treaties, customary international law , general principles and other sources of international law. International human rights law lays down obligations of Governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups

Advantages

  • Helps raise awareness
  • Gives people more rights
  • More opportunities for groups in society/ improved access e.g. Disability
  • Closed pay differentials to an extent
  • More equality in terms of job opportunities
  • High profile cases have been won so people think differently
  • School curriculum more equality and encouragement to partake in range of subjects
  • System of redress/support
  • Help reduce discrimination
  • Merging of previous laws may make the process of seeking redress easier
  • Commissions provide support