Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person, simply because they are human. They do not depend on where you live, your religion, your gender, your wealth or anything else.
Students often study human rights in civics, social studies or general knowledge classes. This simple guide explains what human rights are, where they come from, the most important ones, and how they connect to everyday school life.
What Are Human Rights?
Human rights are:
- Universal: they belong to everyone, everywhere.
- Inalienable: they cannot be taken away, except in specific situations set by law, such as a fair prison sentence limiting liberty.
- Indivisible and interdependent: all rights matter, and they support each other. For example, the right to education helps people use their right to free expression.
Where Do Human Rights Come From?
The most important modern document is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948. That is why 10 December is celebrated as Human Rights Day.
The UDHR was later turned into binding treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, both adopted in 1966. Read more about the first one in our guide to the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Ten Fundamental Human Rights
- The right to life, liberty and security. No one should be killed unlawfully or held without good reason.
- Freedom from torture and cruel treatment.
- Freedom from slavery and forced labour.
- Equality before the law and protection from discrimination.
- The right to a fair trial.
- The right to privacy and family life.
- Freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
- Freedom of expression: to share ideas and opinions.
- Freedom of peaceful assembly and association: to meet and form groups.
- The right to education. The UDHR says elementary education should be free and compulsory.
Other key rights include the right to work, to health, to an adequate standard of living, to take part in government and to seek asylum.
Two Big Groups of Rights
| Group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Civil and political rights | Life, fair trial, free speech, voting, religion |
| Economic, social and cultural rights | Education, health, work, housing, culture |
We explain the difference between civil and political rights in what is the difference between civil and political rights.
Children’s Rights
Children have all human rights plus special protections. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) is the most widely ratified human rights treaty. UNICEF explains the Convention on the Rights of the Child in simple terms. Key rights include:
- the right to education
- the right to play and rest
- protection from violence, abuse and exploitation, including child labour
- the right to be heard on matters that affect them
Human Rights at School
- Right to education: every child should be able to attend school.
- Freedom from discrimination: no student should be treated unfairly because of their background.
- Freedom of expression: students can share opinions respectfully.
- Safety: schools must protect students from bullying and violence.
Rights Come With Responsibilities
If I have the right to be respected, I have a responsibility to respect others. If I have freedom of speech, I should not use it to spread hate or lies about people.
How Different Countries Protect Rights
Countries protect rights through constitutions and laws. The United Kingdom, for example, has the Human Rights Act 1998. Learn more in the main points of the Human Rights Act 1998.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who protects human rights?
Mainly governments, through laws, courts and police. International bodies and civil society groups also monitor and speak up.
Can human rights ever be limited?
Some rights can be limited by law for reasons like public safety or protecting others’ rights. Some, like freedom from torture, can never be limited.
When is Human Rights Day?
10 December each year, the date the UDHR was adopted in 1948.
Key Takeaways
- Human rights belong to everyone, everywhere.
- The UDHR (1948) is the foundation of modern human rights.
- Key rights include life, equality, free expression and education.
- Rights come with responsibilities to respect others.
