10 December 2023 is Human Rights Day and the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
But what are human rights actually? In the words of the UN:
Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.
Human rights are important because when individuals are safe and supported, they are able to thrive. They spell out in no uncertain terms how every person deserves to live, free and safe from harassment and discrimination.
Particularly in conversations around justice, human rights are often framed as privileges that can be earnt and taken away. But this distinction is important, human rights cannot be disregarded.
The point of human rights is that there is no bar that must be reached in order to be entitled them. Each and every person is entitled to them, full stop.
Children and young people are recognised under this declaration as individuals, but also have additional rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This is because while the UN recognises children and young people as their own individuals with their own rights, not belonging to their parents, they also recognise that young people have specific developmental needs not covered in this declaration.
We have another post on the UNCRC here if you want more info on what’s included in that.
