HUMAN RIGHTS OUTLINE MADE EASY BY ABDUL HAMEED 2K25/LLM/03
TOPIC.1
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS
Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality,
ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and
liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to
work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without
discrimination. (UN).
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history
of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds
from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General
Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 (General Assembly resolution 217 A) as a common
standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. (UN)
Legal Foundation
1. Guaranteed by international law through:
a. Treaties
b. Customary international law
c. General principles
d. Declarations and conventions
2. Human rights law obligates governments:
a. To act positively
b. To refrain from violations
c. To protect individuals and groups
Basic principles
1. Universality
a. First emphasized in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
b. Reinforced in the 1993 Vienna World Conference on Human Rights.
c. All States have ratified at least one core human rights treaty; 80% have ratified
four or more.
d. Some rights enjoy customary international law status — universally binding.
2. Inalienability
a. Rights cannot be legally taken away, except in specific legal processes (e.g., right
to liberty may be restricted after a fair trial).
3. Indivisibility & Interdependence
a. All rights are connected:
i. Civil & political rights (e.g., right to life, equality)
ii. Economic, social & cultural rights (e.g., right to work, education)
iii. Collective rights (e.g., right to a clean environment, self-determination)
b. Progress in one area supports others, while deprivation of one affects all.
4. Non-Discrimination & Equality
a. Applies to everyone across all rights.
b. Prohibits bias based on sex, race, color, etc.
c. Affirmed by Article 1 of UDHR which states that all human beings are born free
and equal in dignity and rights.
TOPIC.2
HISTORY OF HUMAN RIGHTS
1. Code of Hammurabi (c. 1750 BCE)
First known complete set of laws.
Focused on justice with "if-then" rules.
Covered trade, slavery, property, and punishments.
2. Cyrus Cylinder (539 BCE)
Recognized as the first charter of human rights.
Promoted freedom of religion, racial equality, and abolition of slavery.
3. Magna Carta (1215)
Limited king’s power and guaranteed rights like:
Justice
Fair trial
Property rights
Freedom from excessive taxes
4. Petition of Rights (1628)
Parliament asserted rights:
No taxation without consent
No imprisonment without cause
No quartering soldiers in peacetime
5. English Bill of Rights (1689)
Parliament's supremacy over monarchy.
Ensured:
Freedom of speech
Free elections
Right to bear arms
Protection from cruel punishment.
6. U.S. Declaration of Independence (1776)
Declared "all men are created equal".
Recognized rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
7. French Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789)
Emphasized:
Freedom of religion, speech, and assembly
Separation of powers
Equality before law.
8. U.S. Bill of Rights (1791)
First 10 amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
Protected:
Freedom of religion, speech, press
Fair trial
Protection from government abuse.
9. League of Nations and ILO (1919)
League aimed to prevent war but failed.
ILO worked to promote labor rights and social justice.
10. United Nations (1945)
Founded post-WWII to ensure peace and human rights.
Promotes respect for rights without distinction of race, sex, language, or
religion.
11. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948)
Drafted under Eleanor Roosevelt’s leadership.
Adopted by the UN General Assembly.
Influenced global constitutions.
Recognizes civil, political, economic, and social rights.
TOPIC.3
HUMAN RIGHTS IN ISLAM
Rights granted by Allah and are not man-made.
Sacred and permanent, cannot be amended or suspended.
Based on justice, kindness and public interest.
Sources: Quran, Sunnah, Ijma’, Ijtihad.
Core Islamic Human Rights
Right to life
Right to property
Right to freedom and dignity
Right to education
Right to social security
Protection against torture and injustice
Charter of Medina (First Constitution in History)
Drafted by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Principles:
Religious freedom
Minority rights
Equal citizenship
Security and justice for all
Model of coexistence between Muslims and non-Muslims
Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Considered the Islamic Charter of Human Rights.
Emphasized:
Equality of all humans (no superiority based on race or tribe)
Protection of life and property
Rights of women
Social justice and unity.
TOPIC.4
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (UDHR, 1948)
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of
human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from
all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General
Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 (General Assembly resolution 217 A) as a common
standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time,
fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into over 500
languages. The UDHR is widely recognized as having inspired, and paved the way for, the
adoption of more than seventy human rights treaties, applied today on a permanent basis at
global and regional levels (all containing references to it in their preambles).
Important provisions
Civil & Political: Right to life, liberty, fair trial, and freedom from torture, slavery,
arbitrary detention (Arts. 3–11).
Personal Freedoms: Privacy, freedom of movement, thought, religion,
expression, and peaceful assembly (Arts. 12–20).
Political Participation: Right to vote and take part in government (Art. 21).
Economic & Social: Right to social security, work, education, adequate living,
and rest (Arts. 22–26).
Cultural & Scientific: Right to participate in cultural life and benefit from
scientific progress (Art. 27).
Duties & Limitations: Rights come with duties to the community; no right to
destroy rights (Arts. 28–30).
TOPIC.5
CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST
WOMEN (CEDAW)
CEDAW, adopted in 1979, is often referred to as the international bill of rights for women. It
defines discrimination against women and sets forth an agenda for national action to end such
discrimination. The convention covers areas such as political participation, education,
employment, health care, and family life, obligating states to ensure women's equal rights and
opportunities in all spheres
Important provisions
Non-Discrimination: Defines discrimination (Art. 1); obliges states to eliminate
it via law (Art. 2).
Temporary Measures: Permits affirmative action (Art. 4).
Stereotype Elimination: Duties to combat traditional gender roles (Art. 5).
Protections: Suppression of trafficking and exploitation (Art. 6).
Areas of Equality:
Political & Public Life: Equal voting, office-holding (Arts. 7–8).
Nationality, Education, Employment, Health: Equal treatment and access
(Arts. 9–12).
Rural Women & Family Rights: Targeted protections and rights in marriage,
divorce, property (Arts. 14–16).
Implementation:
Monitoring Body: CEDAW Committee (Art. 17).
Reservations: Prohibited if against the object and purpose (Art. 28).
TOPIC.6
CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD (CRC, 1989)
The CRC, adopted in 1989, is a comprehensive treaty that recognizes the civil, political,
economic, social, and cultural rights of children. It defines a child as any human under 18 and
emphasizes principles like non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, the right to life,
survival and development, and respect for the views of the child. The convention obligates
states to protect children from abuse, exploitation, and neglect, and to ensure access to
education and health care.
The most widely ratified human rights treaty, recognizing special protection and care for
children under 18.
Core Principles:
Non-Discrimination, Best Interests, Survival & Development, Child
Participation (Arts. 2–6, 12).
Key Rights:
Identity & Family: Right to name, nationality, family unity (Arts. 7–10).
Expression & Information: Freedom of thought and opinion (Arts. 12–13).
Protection from Harm: Abuse, neglect, exploitation, child labor, armed conflict
(Arts. 19, 32, 38).
Health & Education: Access to healthcare, compulsory primary education (Arts.
24, 28).
Leisure & Culture: Play and cultural participation (Art. 31).
Juvenile Justice: Fair trials and rehabilitation (Art. 40).
Special Protections:
Refugee and disabled children, protection in armed conflict (Arts. 22–23, 38).
Implementation:
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Art. 43).
Reservations restricted (Art. 51).
TOPIC.7
INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS (ICCPR, 1966; IN
FORCE 1976)
Adopted in 1966 and entered into force in 1976, the ICCPR commits its parties to respect the
civil and political rights of individuals, including the rights to life, freedom of speech, religion,
and assembly, electoral rights, and rights to due process and a fair trial. The covenant is
monitored by the Human Rights Committee, which oversees implementation and addresses
violations.
A binding treaty protecting individual freedoms and civil-political rights with an enforceable
monitoring system.
Important provisions:
Dignity, Equality, and Freedom under international law.
Right to Self-determination (Art. 1).
Major Rights:
Right to Life, Liberty & Security: No arbitrary arrest, torture, or slavery (Arts.
6–10).
Fair Trial & Due Process: Legal equality, presumption of innocence, and no
retroactive laws (Arts. 14–15).
Freedoms: Movement, religion, opinion, peaceful assembly, association (Arts. 12,
18–22).
Political Rights: Voting, participation in government (Art. 25).
Protection of Minorities and Families (Arts. 23–27).
Limitations:
Emergency Derogation allowed, but core rights (e.g., life, torture) are non-
derogable (Art. 4).
No abuse of rights (Art. 5).
Monitoring:
Human Rights Committee monitors state compliance (Arts. 28–45).
Ratification & Amendments under UN procedures (Arts. 48–53).
TOPIC.8
INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGNIZATION
Established: 1919; became a UN specialized agency in 1946
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
Membership: 187 countries.
Mission: Promote social justice and internationally recognized human and labor rights.
Structure: Unique tripartite system-governments, employers, and workers have equal
representation.
