Definition

1. Noun:
   • A fundamental entitlement or liberty: A human right is a basic moral guarantee that belongs to every person simply because they are human. These rights are considered universal, inalienable, and inherent to all people.
   • A legal or ethical principle: In law and philosophy, a human right is a standard that protects individuals from oppressive actions by governments or other powerful entities, ensuring dignity, fairness, and freedom.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right.
  • The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in 1948.
  • Governments have a duty to protect the human rights of all their citizens.

Advanced Usage

• "to violate human rights": to act in a way that breaks or disrespects these fundamental entitlements.
  • The regime was accused of violating human rights.
• "human rights framework": the system of laws, treaties, and principles that define and protect these rights.
  • International law operates within a human rights framework.
• "human rights defender": a person who works to protect the human rights of others.
  • She is a renowned human rights defender.

Variants and Related Words

• Human-rights (adjective, used attributively): Describing something related to the concept of human rights.
  • A human-rights lawyer; a human-rights violation.
• Rights-based (adjective): An approach or philosophy centered on legal or moral entitlements.
  • A rights-based approach to development.

Synonyms

• Fundamental right: A basic, essential entitlement.
• Basic liberty: A core freedom.
• Inalienable right: A right that cannot be taken away or given away.

Related Phrases

• Bill of Rights: A formal declaration of the rights of citizens.
  • The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution form the Bill of Rights.
• Civil liberties: Personal freedoms protected by law from governmental interference.
  • The protest was about protecting civil liberties.

Related Idioms

• To stand up for one's rights: To defend one's entitlements or freedoms.
  • He taught his children to stand up for their rights.
• A right to life: A common phrase emphasizing the fundamental human right to live.
  • The debate centered on the right to life.

Noun

1. (law) any basic right or freedom to which all human beings are entitled and in whose exercise a government may not interfere (including rights to life and liberty as well as freedom of thought and expression and equality before the law)