In short, human rights are the principles and values that everyone – regardless of their situation or status in life – should have. These are outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
They are indivisible, interrelated and interdependent – this means that all human rights are intrinsically connected and cannot be viewed as isolated from one another. They can be interpreted and applied in various ways depending on the specific context and situation, but they should always be respected and protected.
Human rights are also non-negotiable, meaning that they can only be changed by agreement between governments and their people, not by force. This is what we mean when we talk about a ‘rules-based world’ – it is the system of rules that countries agree to uphold to ensure that everyone can enjoy their rights.
However, the system of rules is weakened when we allow states to reshape these fundamental human rights, and use them as weapons to justify their own abuses. This is why it’s crucial that we act together, as a community with shared values, to defend and promote these core principles of freedom and justice.
When groups work together they can share ideas and resources, and support one another through difficult times. They can also make it easier for individuals to commit their time and energy – as human rights violations rarely take place overnight, group activism is an important way of ensuring that we have the strength to fight injustice over the long haul.