People

Human rights are norms that recognize and protect the dignity of all human beings. Human rights govern the way human beings individually live in society and with each other, as well as their relationship with the State and the obligations that the State has towards them.

Human rights law obliges governments to do some things and prevents them from doing others. Individuals also have responsibilities: enjoying their human rights, they must respect the rights of others. No government, group or individual has the right to do anything that violates someone else's rights.

Universality and inalienability
Human rights are universal and inalienable. All people around the world are entitled to them. No one can voluntarily give up on them. Nor can others take them away from him or her.


Indivisibility
Human rights are indivisible. Whether civil, political, economic, social or cultural, they are all inherent in the dignity of every human person. Consequently, they all have the same value as rights. There is no "minor" right. There is no hierarchy of human rights.

Interdependence and interrelation
The realization of a right often depends, in whole or in part, on the realization of others. For example, the realization of the right to health may depend on the realization of the right to education or the right to information.


Equality and non-discrimination
All individuals are equal as human beings and in virtue of the inherent dignity of each human person. All human beings are entitled to their human rights without discrimination of any kind, such as race, color, sex, ethnicity, age, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, disability, property, birth or other status such as explained by the human rights treaty bodies.


Participation and inclusion
Each person and all peoples are entitled to active, free and meaningful participation in civil, political, economic, social and cultural development, through which human rights and fundamental freedoms can be realized. They are also entitled to contribute to this development and to enjoy it.


Accountability and the Rule of Law
States and other duty-holders must comply with the legal norms and standards enshrined in human rights instruments. When they fail to do so, the injured rights holders have the right to institute procedures for adequate redress before a competent court or other adjudicator, in accordance with the rules and procedures provided for by law.