Why Human Rights?

In recent years we have seen the establishment and expansion of the human rights movement in terms of its global recognition and respect; its influence as a moral and political discourse; its bearing on political debates and legal judgments; and its effect on social behaviour and contemporary ideals. But what are human rights and where did the idea of human rights originate?

To an extent, the notion of rights and liberty has existed for much of human history in various forms. However, after the unprecedented atrocities that were carried out before and during the Second World War in Germany, it was clear that the basic rights of individuals needed to be safeguarded under international law.

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The United Nations was established in 1945 and in 1948 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was co-drafted by René Cassin and adopted by the UN in its third session in Paris. This document marked a new era in human rights and still remains a cornerstone of most modern human rights legislation. The Nobel Peace Prize winner René Cassin, after whom our organisation is named, made his view abundantly clear. Judaism and human rights go hand-in-hand.

"Human rights are an integral part of the faith and tradition of Judaism. The beliefs that man was created in the divine image, that the human family is one, and that every person is obliged to deal justly with every other person are basic sources of the Jewish commitment to human rights."

René Cassin, Declaration on Judaism and Human Rights, April 23, 1974

Human rights are a vital universal standard of basic human needs. There is no differentiation in terms of whom these rights apply to - human rights apply to all human beings, by virtue of their being human. This includes every member of the human family, regardless of sex, race, nationality, socio-economic group, political opinion, sexual orientation, or any other status.

Human rights are inalienable. They cannot be taken away simply because we do not like the person seeking to exercise their rights. They can only be limited in certain tightly defined circumstances, and some rights, such as the prohibition on torture and slavery, can never be limited.
 
Human rights are indivisible. You cannot pick and choose which rights you want to honour. Many rights depend on each other to be meaningful – so, for example, the right to a fair trial would be meaningless without the prohibition on discrimination, and the right to free speech must go hand in hand with the right to assemble peacefully.

Specific rights include the right to life, freedom from torture and other cruel and inhuman treatment, rights to a fair trial, free speech and freedom of religion, rights to health, education and an adequate standard of living. There are many others.

Human rights are owed by the State to the people – this means public bodies must respect your human rights and the Government must ensure that there are laws in place so that other people respect your human rights too. For example, the right to life requires not only that the actions of those working on behalf of the State do not lead to your death, but that laws are also in place to protect you from the actions of others that might want to do you harm.

Values of tolerance, equality and respect can help reduce friction within society. Putting human rights ideas into practice can helps us create the kind of society we want to live in. When people better understand human rights, it will be easier for them to promote justice and the well-being of society.