Human
Rights
Introduction of Human Rights
1) Meaning & Definition of Human Rights
2) Objects of Human Rights
3) Sources of Human Rights
4) Kinds of Human Rights
5) Concept of Human Rights
Introduction of Human Rights
Meaning :- Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that
belong to every person in the world, from birth until death.
They can never be taken away, although they can sometimes be
restricted, for example if a person breaks the law, or national
securities.
The basic Human rights are Right to life, right to dignity, fairness,
equality, respect and independence.
Introduction of Human Rights
Definitions :- There are some definitions from different jurists:-
According to Section 2(d) of the protection of Human Right
Act, 1993 :- “Human rights means the right relating to life, liberty,
equality, and dignity of individual guaranteed by the Constitution
or embodied in the international Covenants and enforceable by
Courts in India.
Introduction of Human Rights
Definitions :- There are some definitions from different jurists:-
According to Susan Moller Okin :- “Human rights as a claim to
something of crucial importance for human life”.
According to Dr. Purohit :- “Human rights are the basic values
which under lie that human beings, born in any part of the world,
are equal in dignity and rights”.
Objects of Human Rights
1) To Protect Human Rights
2) To develop individual self respect
3) To value human dignity
4) To promote respect, understanding and appreciation of diversity
5) To promote democracy, Social Justice and friendship among
people and nations.
Sources of Human Rights
1) Universal declaration of human rights
2) International treaties and covenants
3) International Customs
4) Judicial Decisions
5) Official Documents
Kinds of Human Rights
1) Civil and Political Rights
2) Economic and Social Rights
3) Collective Rights
Kinds of Human Rights
1) Civil and Political Rights :- Rights contained in the covenants of
Civil and Political come under this category that see their origin
in the 13th century in Magna Carta.
E.g :- Right to life, liberty, right to privacy, right to freedom from
torture and inhuman treatment.
Kinds of Human Rights
2) Economic and Social Rights :- These rights refer to economic
and social rights which are considered to have been originated in the
Russian Revolution of 1917 and in the Paris peace conference of
1919.
E.g :- Food, Clothes, House and adequate standard of living and
freedom from hunger etc.
Kinds of Human Rights
3) Collective Rights :- Individuals are also members of such units,
groups or communities and state, therefore, international law not only
recognizes inalienable rights of individuals, but also recognizes
certain collective rights.
E.g :- Right to self determination, rights to peace and development
etc.
Concept of Human Rights
Magna Carte :- Magna Carta also known as “Great Charter”, is a
charter of rights agreed to by King John as England, on 15th June
1215, to make peace between the unpopular king and a group of
people, it promised the protection of church rights.
Petition of Rights, 1628 :- A statement of Civil liberties sent by
the English parliament o Charles 1. Human rights were improved
or enhanced in the petition.
Concept of Human Rights
The Bill of Rights, 1689 :- Is a landmark Act in the constitutional
law of England that sets out certain basic civil rights.
The Virginia Declaration, 1776 :- This declaration specified a
number of fundamental rights of man. The Virginia declaration of
rights affirmed that all men are by nature equally free and
independent and have certain inherent rights.
Concept of Human Rights
Constitution of USA 1787 :- Constitution of USA 1787 with
amendments in 1789, 1865, 1869 and 19119 specified a number
of fundamental rights of man.
The French declaration, 1789 :- Inspired by the American
declaration of independence, the newly formed National
Assembly proclaimed the declaration of the rights of men and
citizen.
Concept of Human Rights
Universal declaration of Human Rights 1948 :- Is a historic
documents that was adopted y United Nations General Assembly,
UDHR is a milestone document in the history of Human rights, it sets
out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally
protected.
International Covenants 1966 :- The United nations General
Assembly adopted two covenants on 16th Dec. 1966, the international
covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and International
covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ICESCR).
