Human rights are fundamental freedoms and rights that every person is born with. They cannot be awarded by any human power and are inherent to the dignity of all people. They are universal, indivisible and interdependent, meaning that the enjoyment of one right depends on the enjoyment of other rights, and no single right is more important than any other.
In ancient Greece and Rome, the idea of human rights was closely tied to the doctrines of the Stoics, who believed that human conduct should be judged according to, and brought into harmony with, the law of nature. The concept of human rights gained broad acceptance in the 20th century, following World War II and the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. This new phrase replaced the older term natural rights, which had fallen out of favor with the emergence of legal positivism in the 19th century.
There are many ways to support the work of human rights defenders. By advocating for policy change, raising awareness, and holding perpetrators accountable you can help to protect human rights.
It is essential to find others who share your commitment to fighting for human rights, as it takes a team of dedicated individuals to tackle these issues. Group activism is also necessary because most human rights issues are long-term, and individual activists have limited time and energy. By joining a human rights group, you will be connected to a community that can provide support and share resources, and together, we can make long-term progress.