Question

Discuss the concept of Human Rights.

Answer 1

Human Rights are those rights that we are entitled to simply because we are human beings. Henry Thoreau first described natural rights as human rights. These are basic rights of people anywhere in the world to be free from exploitation, injustice, and want, to lead a dignified existence, and to develop to the fullest extent. The U.N.O adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (U.D.H.R) on 10^th December 1948. These rights are dynamic i.e., they develop with changing times. U.D.H.R expresses belief in the liberty and equality of human beings and promotes the culture of peace and cooperation.

Human rights can be classified as

1. Civil and Political rights - These are liberty oriented rights like the right to freedom of thought, right to vote, etc
2. Social, Cultural, and Economic rights - These include the right to social justice, right to work, etc.
3. Developmental rights - These are linked to the concept of fraternity e.g., the right to a healthy environment, right to information.

The implementation of human rights requires favourable political, socio-economic conditions in the state. In the absence of such, these rights may be violated or denied as happens in the case of women, children, displaced persons, minorities, etc.