English · Culture & Society
human rights
/ˌhjuː.mən ˈraɪts/
[/ˌhjuː.mən ˈraɪts/]
basic rights of all people
Intermediatenoun
Definition
The basic freedoms and protections that belong to every person simply because they are human. They include rights to life, liberty, and fair treatment.
Example
International organizations work to defend human rights for people living under harsh and repressive regimes.
International organizations work to defend human rights for people living under harsh and repressive regimes.
Etymology
A compound of 'human' (from Latin 'humanus') and 'rights', popularized after the 1948 Universal Declaration.
How & Where It’s Used
Used in law, activism, and international politics.