MODULE 1:
FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS &
PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN
RIGHTS
Ms. Danschiel Ramos
Terminologies
uma
n
H
Human
being, relating to, or belonging to a person or
to people as opposed to animals (1)
of, relating to, or affecting people; typical of
people; having good or bad qualities that
people usually have (2)
1 - https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/human
2- https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human
ights
R
Rights
Rights are entitlements (not) to perform certain actions, or
(not) to be in certain states; or entitlements that others (not)
perform certain actions or (not) be in certain states. (1)
Rights are legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or
entitlement; that is, rights are the fundamental normative
rules about what is allowed of people or owed to people,
according to some legal system, social convention, or ethical
theory. (2)
(1) https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/rights/
(2) https://www.definitions.net/definition/Rights
How do you define
Human Rights?
Human rights are rights we have simply
because we exist as HUMAN BEINGS -
they are not granted by any state.
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These UNIVERSAL rights are INHERENT to
us all, regardless of nationality, sex,
national or ethnic origin, color, religion,
language, or any other status.
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They range from the most fundamental -
the right to life - to those that make life
worth living, such as the rights to food,
education, work, health, and liberty.
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Human rights are the basic rights and
freedoms that belong to every person in
the world, from birth until death. They
apply regardless of where you are from,
what you believe or how you choose to
live your life.
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They can never be taken away, although they
can sometimes be restricted – for example if a
person breaks the law, or in the interests of
national security. These basic rights are based
on shared values like dignity, fairness,
equality, respect and independence. These
values are defined and protected by law.
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Fundamental Principles of
Human Rights
Human rights are universal.
Universality - everyone is born with and possesses the same
rights regardless of their background, nationality, place of
living or status. (1)
We are all equally entitled to our human rights.(2)
(1) https://www.cpg-online.de/2019/11/01/basic-concepts-of-human-rights/
(2) https://www.ohchr.org/en/issues/pages/whatarehumanrights.aspx
Human rights are inalienable.
Inalienable - all human rights are non-derogable and cannot be
removed by any political order. (1) This means that human
rights belong to every person and cannot be taken from a
person under any circumstances. (2) Human rights should not
be taken away, except in specific situations and according to
due process. For example, the right to liberty may be restricted
if a person is found guilty of a crime by a court of law. (3)
(1) https://www.cpg-online.de/2019/11/01/basic-concepts-of-human-rights/
(2) Help Age International
(3) https://www.ohchr.org/en/issues/pages/whatarehumanrights.aspx
Human rights are indivisible.
Indivisible- because all rights are equally important and cannot
be separated from each other (1) This means that each human
right has equal importance. A person cannot be denied one
right because someone decides it is "less important" than
another human right. (2)
(1) https://www.cpg-online.de/2019/11/01/basic-concepts-of-human-rights/
(2) Help Age International
Human rights are interdependent.
Interdependent - rights – political, civil, social, cultural and
economic – are connected and none can be fully enjoyed
without the others. (1) This means that all human rights
complement each other. For example, your ability to participate
in your government is directly affected by your right to express
yourself, to get an education, and even to obtain the necessities
of life such as the right to water, to food, to housing and to
health. (2)
(1) https://www.cpg-online.de/2019/11/01/basic-concepts-of-human-rights/
(2) Help Age International
Human rights are equal and non-
discriminatory.
All individuals are equal as human beings and by virtue of the
inherent dignity of each human person. No one, therefore,
should suffer discrimination on the basis of race, colour,
ethnicity, gender, age, language, sexual orientation, religion,
political or other opinion, national, social or geographical origin,
disability, property, birth or other status as established by
human rights standards.
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%20Rights%2C%20Duty%20and%20Pedagogy.pdf
Participation and Inclusion
All people have the right to participate in and access
information relating to the decision-making processes that
affect their lives and well-being. Rights-based approaches
require a high degree of participation by communities, civil
society, minorities, women, young people, indigenous peoples
and other identified groups.
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Both Rights and Obligations
All States have ratified at least 1 of the 9 core human rights
treaties, as well as 1 of the 9 optional protocols. 80% of States
have ratified 4 or more. This means that States have obligations
and duties under international law to respect, protect and fulfill
human rights.
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The obligation to respect means that States must refrain
from interfering with or curtailing the enjoyment of human
rights.
The obligation to protect requires States to protect
individuals and groups against human rights abuses.
The obligation to fulfill means that States must take
positive action to facilitate the enjoyment of basic human
rights.
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Meanwhile, as individuals,
while we are entitled to our
human rights - but, we should
also respect and stand up for
the human rights of others.
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TWO MAJOR CATEGORIES OF
HUMAN RIGHTS
1. Civil and Political Rights
2. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/education/introduction-human-rights
https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/what-kinds-of-human-rights-exist/
Civil and Political Rights
Refer to a person’s rights to take part in the
civil and political life of their community
without discrimination or oppression. These
include rights and freedoms such as the right
to vote, the right to privacy, freedom of
speech and freedom from torture.
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Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights
Relate to a person’s rights to prosper and grow and
to take part in social and cultural activities. This
group includes rights such as the right to health, the
right to education and the right to work.
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Civil and Political Rights
Vs.
Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights
One of the main differences between these two
groups of rights is that, in the case of civil and
political rights, governments must make sure that
they, or any other group, are not denying people
access to their rights, whereas in relation to
economic, social and cultural rights, governments
must take active steps to ensure rights are being
fulfilled.
In the area of civil and political rights
• Right to life
• Freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment
• Freedom from slavery, servitude and forced labour
• Right to liberty and security of person
• Right of detained persons to be treated with humanity
• Freedom of movement
• Right to a fair trial
• Prohibition of retroactive criminal laws
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%2C%20Rights%2C%20Duty%20and%20Pedagogy.pdf
• Right to recognition as a person before the law
• Right to privacy
• Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
• Freedom of opinion and expression
• Prohibition of propaganda for war and of incitement to
national, racial or religious hatred
• Freedom of assembly
• Freedom of association
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%2C%20Rights%2C%20Duty%20and%20Pedagogy.pdf
Right to marry and found a family
Right to take part in the conduct of public affairs,
vote, be elected and have access to public office
Right to equality before the law and non-
discrimination.
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%2C%20Rights%2C%20Duty%20and%20Pedagogy.pdf
In the area of economic, social and cultural rights
• Right to work
• Right to just and favourable conditions of work
• Right to form and join trade unions
• Right to social security
• Protection of the family
• Right to an adequate standard of living, including
adequate food, clothing and housing
• Right to health
• Right to education. hurights.or.jp/archives/other_publications/section1/pdf/Principles%2C%20Rights%2C%20Duty
%20and%20Pedagogy.pdf
For the next episode:
Freedom vs. Human Rights
