Human Rights

Intro:
Human rights are inherent to all individuals, regardless of their race, ethnicity, social status,
color, or nationality, and cannot be arbitrarily revoked. They provide individuals with the
fundamental entitlements to life, sustenance, and dignity in any circumstances they may find
themselves in. In turn helping us humans have a right to our lives and give justice to the
people who are oppressed with no due reason.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was initially embraced by the United
Nations (UN) in 1948 and remains a cornerstone document in safeguarding the basic rights
of individuals, now marking its 76th year of existence. It governs the many aspects of the
world in respect to humans and their rights. Several treaty bodies exist under the UDHR,
connecting many aspects of this world to human rights and moderating those aspects.

Many issues like slavery and child labour were abolished as we started to give rights to
humans that they truly deserve. The many undeniable aspects of human rights and UDHR
will be discussed below.

Principles of Human Rights:

To begin with, human rights are inherent to all individuals, ensuring that every person is
entitled to them regardless of their background or identity. Furthermore, these rights are
inalienable and cannot be arbitrarily revoked without a just cause. Any violation is
thoroughly judged by the UDHR treaty bodies and a statement is passed on for action to be
taken.

According to one of the articles in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), it is
declared that every individual is inherently entitled to freedom and equality in terms of
dignity and rights from the moment they are born. Additionally, the second article of the
UDHR emphasizes the importance of being free from discrimination and racism. This
particular article holds a significant position among all the articles in the declaration, serving
as a foundational principle that sets the tone for the rest of the document and underscores
the fundamental importance of upholding human rights for all individuals.
The interconnected nature of human rights means that when one right is violated, it often
leads to the violation of several others. These rights are universal and apply to all individuals
regardless of their race, nationality, or social status, promoting equality among all people.
Upholding these rights fosters a culture of respect for human dignity and the importance of
defending and safeguarding these fundamental freedoms. To safeguard this, the UDHR has
various different treaties in the form of bodies to keep them in check.

History:
The concept of human rights first gained widespread attention in the wake of the Second
World War and the atrocities of the Holocaust. However, the origins of this idea can be
traced back to early Christian thinkers who discussed the limitations of laws and the broader
implications of moral power. In the 16th century, Spanish schools challenged traditional laws
by emphasizing the importance of individual moral authority. It was from these early
discussions and developments that the modern understanding of human rights emerged in
the 20th century.

Numerous social movements and strikes were initiated to advocate for various rights,
leading to significant changes such as the eradication of child labor and the establishment of
minimum work conditions. The fight for women's suffrage also emerged from these
movements, paving the way for the enactment of numerous laws and regulations. These
collective efforts have played a crucial role in shaping and advancing societal norms and
standards.

During the period between World War 1 and World War 2, discussions surrounding the
Treaty of Versailles led to the establishment of the League of Nations with the goal of
preventing future conflicts and promoting global welfare and quality of life. Following the
dissolution of the League of Nations after World War 2, the United Nations was created,
alongside the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The preamble of the UDHR
emphasizes the importance of recognizing the inherent dignity and equal rights of all
individuals as the cornerstone of freedom, justice, and peace worldwide. The document was
crafted by international experts in collaboration with influential figures such as Mahatma
Gandhi. In a significant development, environmental rights were added to the UDHR as a
human right in 2021.

Applications of Human Rights:

The United Nations General Assembly plays a crucial role in advising the United Nations
Human Rights Council and the United Nations Security Council on matters related to
protecting human rights treaties. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
serves as the highest authority within the UN dedicated to promoting and advocating for
human rights. The international mandate emphasizes the importance of international
cooperation in addressing economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian challenges, as well as
promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all individuals regardless
of race, gender, language, or religion.

The Human Rights Council convenes three regular meetings each year, with additional
urgent sessions called as needed to address emerging issues. This body diligently scrutinizes
human rights abuses and violations happening globally, examining the situation in every
country. The regular sessions take place in March, June, and September, with a rotating
membership of 47 countries selected according to the United Nations regional grouping
system.

In addition to political bodies, a multitude of treaty-based bodies exist that are comprised of
independent experts responsible for overseeing the norms derived from international
human rights agreements. Each treaty body focuses on a specific human right, offering
assessments and issuing statements based on their observations.

These statements have the potential to be brought before the international courts, including
either the International Criminal Court (ICC) or the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The
ICJ consists of 15 judges who are elected by the UN General Assembly and Security Council
for nine-year terms. The ICJ rendered its first judgment on May 22, 1947, and has since
presided over 191 cases. The court is currently located at The Peace Palace in the
Netherlands. Similarly, the ICC, established in 2002, is also based in the Netherlands and is
responsible for prosecuting individuals for international crimes such as genocide, crimes
against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression. Cases are only brought before the
ICC or ICJ once all local avenues for justice have been exhausted.