At the heart of ethical conversations today is the idea of human rights: a set of basic entitlements that every person is said to possess simply by being human. But what are these rights, and why are they so important in shaping our moral obligations toward others?
Human rights are owned by members of the human race, so they’re universal in character.
Taking Stock: Human Rights 101
Before you can understand the debates around human rights, you need to know the basics. Who has human rights? What makes them different from other types of rights? And what justifies their existence?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) is the most translated document in the world, available in over 500 languages.
What Are Human Rights?
Human rights are basic protections and benefits possessed by individuals, usually against the state. They are held by every human being, regardless of status or role, and act as threshold rules—lines that should not be crossed, even if society might benefit.
Basic entitlements and protections that every person holds simply by being human, regardless of their status, nationality, or identity.
The right to free speech, the right to not be tortured, and the right to a fair trial are all examples of human rights that protect individuals from abuses by governments and others in power.
Want to go deeper? The history behind human rights
Although the notion of human rights has ancient roots, the language used to describe them did not emerge until the 17th and 18th centuries. Documents like the English Bill of Rights (1689), the French Rights of Man (1789), and the U.S. Bill of Rights (1789) showcased how the idea of rights evolved to check the power of monarchs and governments. However, not all these rights were “human” rights—many only applied to certain groups, like citizens or property owners.
Why might it be important that human rights apply to all humans, not just citizens of a particular country or members of a specific group?
What Makes a Right a “Human” Right?
To count as a human right, an entitlement must be:
- Universal: Everyone has it, just by being human.
- Inalienable: It cannot be taken away, given, or traded—even if you wanted to.
- A “trump”: It outranks other social benefits or interests; violating a human right requires an extremely powerful moral justification.
A characteristic of rights that means they cannot be surrendered, sold, or transferred—no matter the circumstances.
Can you think of a situation where a person’s rights might be temporarily limited? Does this mean those rights are lost?
Only law-abiding, “good” people retain their human rights; criminals or “bad” people lose them.
Being a human is the sole requirement for having human rights. Even those who break the law retain their basic human rights.
Having Rights vs. Being Right
Don’t confuse having rights with being right in a moral or legal sense. You can have rights even if you behave badly, and not everything that is “right” creates a right.
- Having a right: Means you’re entitled to something that must be respected by others (like a claim to property or freedom).
- Being right: Means your behavior aligns with moral, social, or legal standards—but doesn’t always involve an entitlement.
Can you think of an example where someone is morally right, but doesn’t have a right to force others to act in a certain way?
- Human rights are universal and inalienable—they apply to all people, everywhere.
- There is a difference between having a right (an entitlement) and being right (acting morally or correctly).
The Relationship Between Rights, Duties, and Laws
Rights imply duties: if you have a right, someone else must have a duty to respect or provide for it. For example, if you have the right to a fair trial, the government has the duty to ensure fair trials are conducted.
When you exercise your right to vote, your government has a duty to set up polling stations, count votes fairly, and protect your access to the ballot.
What does it mean for a right to be “inalienable”?
Tap to revealIt cannot be taken away, given, or traded—even if the person wants to do so.
How do rights and duties relate to each other?
Tap to revealIf you have a right, someone else has a duty to respect or provide for that right.
Give an example of a political document that included “rights talk”.
Tap to revealThe English Bill of Rights (1689), the French Rights of Man (1789), or the U.S. Bill of Rights (1789).
Identify which rights in your country are truly “human rights” and which are legal rights that may not apply to everyone.
- Make a list of five rights you have as a citizen.
- Decide: Is each one a human right (universal) or a legal right (granted by your country)?
- Note any rights that only apply to certain groups (citizens, adults, etc.).
A is a corresponding obligation to respect or provide for another’s right.
Think about a time when you felt your own rights (or someone else’s) were violated. What made the situation about a right rather than just a disagreement or a wrong action?
What does it mean for a right to be “universal”?
Human rights are universal and inalienable—every person has them simply for being human, and they cannot be lost or traded away.
Understanding the difference between having a right and being right is essential to grasping how rights function in ethical thinking.