human rights

[hyoo-muhn rahyts, yoo‑]

plural noun

1. fundamental rights, especially those believed to belong to an individual and in whose exercise a government may not interfere, as the rights to speak, associate, work, etc.

human rights

plural noun

1. the rights of individuals to liberty, justice, etc

human rights

1. Freedom from arbitrary interference or restriction by governments. The term encompasses largely the same rights called civil liberties or civil rights but often suggests rights that have not been recognized.

Political leaders in the United States often use the expression when speaking of rights violated by other nations.

Word History and Origins

Origin of human rights¹

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

Legal experts told BBC Verify the strike may have violated international human rights and maritime law.

From BBC

President Prabowo himself is accused of human rights abuses, such as the abduction of dissidents, under Suharto’s rule.

From Los Angeles Times

Swinney described as "dreadful" Reform's proposal to take the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights, a treaty designed to protect human rights and political freedoms,

From BBC

A number of international human rights groups have concluded that Israel is already operating an apartheid system in the West Bank - a characterisation that the Israeli government has rejected.

From BBC

"We don't want Canada to be complicit in this treatment, and the potential result that they could be sent to any number of countries with their own abysmal human rights record," he tells the BBC.

From BBC

Related Words

• civil rights