Many people know some of their rights – they may mention freedom of speech or belief – but few realise that human rights are very broad. They include everything from a person’s right to choose where they live, work and study to the right to leave their country or to return to it. They are rights that are there to protect us against the abuse of power by tyrannical governments and other powerful groups.
They are also indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, meaning that no one right can be enjoyed without the others. They are inherent in the dignity of every human being and can never be taken away. They are interrelated because the enjoyment of one right is often linked to the enjoyment of other rights, for example the right to life is linked to the right to adequate food and water.
Violations of human rights often lead to a range of problems including civil unrest and social instability. In addition, they can spark or fuel armed conflicts and cause broader political instability. Many violations of human rights are the result of fundamental needs not being met – such as a lack of adequate food, shelter and employment.
While human rights are a responsibility of the State as signatories to international treaties, they are also maintained by individuals, families and communities who uphold them through their daily actions and rituals. It is therefore essential that regular educational work with families and communities takes place if we are to achieve long term progress on human rights.
About the Author
