Human rights are the fundamental freedoms and protections to which all people are entitled, based on values like dignity, fairness, equality and respect. They include civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural ones – for example the right to a life free from hunger or to a decent education. Human rights are indivisible, interdependent and related: making progress on one set of rights makes it easier to achieve another.
The concept of human rights is rooted in the aftermath of World War II and the establishment of the United Nations, when many states committed to upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, debates continue over which rights should take precedence, and how to interpret and enforce them. For example, some proponents of cultural relativism argue that human rights do not apply to all cultures, or may conflict with certain traditions (for instance the practice of female genital cutting in parts of Africa).
Some human rights are described as being ‘inalienable’ – they belong to an individual simply by virtue of being a person, and can therefore never be taken away. Others are enforceable by law, such as the right to privacy in the workplace. In Britain, this is protected by the Human Rights Act 1998. Educating people about their human rights is a key step towards tackling violations. However, laws alone are not enough to protect everyone – in the long term, the only way to make progress is by building a culture of respect for human rights.