Do humans really have rights?

We are told. Human rights are fundamental, universal, and inalienable rights inherent to all people, regardless of race, sex, nationality, or any other status, ensuring dignity, equality, and fairness, and include freedoms like life, speech, education, and freedom from slavery or torture, as outlined by documents like the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

These principles govern how individuals live and interact with each other and their government, forming the basis for national and international laws.

Core Principles
Universal & Inalienable: Belong to everyone by birth and cannot be taken away, though they can be limited in specific legal circumstances.

Dignity & Equality: Based on shared values of respect, fairness, and independence for all.

Key Examples of Rights
Civil & Political: Right to life, liberty, security, fair trial, freedom of speech, expression, religion, assembly, and privacy.

Economic, Social & Cultural: Rights to work, education, food, health, and to form a family.

Freedom from Harm: Freedom from slavery, torture, or degrading treatment.

Key Documents & Protections
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): Adopted by the UN in 1948, it's the foundation of international human rights law, with 30 articles.

International Bill of Rights: The UDHR plus two covenants: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

National Laws: Countries like the UK incorporate these rights into domestic law through acts like the Human Rights Act 1998.