Human rights are a set of fundamental freedoms and protections that all people are entitled to simply because they are humans. They include such things as the right to life, liberty and security of person, the right to a fair trial, the right to freedom of expression and the right not to be tortured or arbitrarily detained. These rights are defined by international law and recognised in many national constitutions and laws. Human rights are based on the principles of equality and fairness that have been central to human society throughout history. The ideas of these rights have developed over time, reflecting the changing needs of societies and new social concerns. Human rights have been formally defined internationally since the end of World War II with the adoption of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The UDHR, along with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its two Optional Protocols, establishes standards that governments must uphold to ensure the protection of these rights. However, there is a great deal of variation between the ways in which countries interpret and implement these treaties. Some states have incorporated the UDHR and its protocols into their national law, whereas others have not.

In the latter case, it is not uncommon for people to be able to take their government to the UN Human Rights Committee if they feel that they are not complying with their international obligations. While the UDHR and other human rights instruments are a powerful tool to use against governments that do not protect their citizens, they cannot solve all of humanity’s problems. This is why it is important for everyone to be active in promoting and protecting human rights, and working to make them a reality in the lives of all people, now and for generations to come.