Understanding Human Rights

The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened. 

John F. Kennedy

Every human is entitled to human rights. Human Rights are entitlements that define how we should be treated. 

They are not for a particular sex, age, religion, ethnic group,  or economic group. They are for everyone; young and old, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, irrespective of one’s identity.  

They are not inherited, gifted or bought. The essence of human rights is to treat each other with respect and dignity.  

Our fundamental human rights are: 

  • Universal – They are for every human. 
  • Inalienable – They cannot be given to or taken away from anyone. 
  • Indivisible and Interdependent – No right is more important than the other. Human Rights should be respected as a whole.  

Human rights are contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).  

The UDHR is a declaration that seeks to promote the civil, economic, social and cultural rights of the people. It contains 30 articles, in which our human rights are embedded in. 

Learn About Your Human Rights and How to Express and Defend Them

The Amnesty International Academy has courses to guide you as you learn more about human rights issues. Our courses are short and straight to the point. You can get started with the Introduction To Human Rights Course.