WHAT IS HUMAN RIGHTS?

Human rights are the fundamental rights and privileges that every individual in the world is entitled to, from the moment of their birth until the time of their death. Every person has dignity and value. One of the ways that we recognize the fundamental worth of every person is by acknowledging and respecting their human rights. These are sets of principles concerned with equality and fairness. They recognize our freedom to make choices about our lives and to develop our potential as human beings. They are about living a life free from fear, harassment, or discrimination.

Human rights are moral principles or norms for certain standards of human behavior and are regularly protected in municipal and international law. They are commonly understood as inalienable, fundamental rights "to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being" and which are "inherent in all human beings'', regardless of their age, ethnic origin, location, language, religion, ethnicity, or any other status. They are applicable everywhere and at every time in the sense of being universal, and they are egalitarian in the sense of being the same for everyone. They are regarded as requiring empathy and the rule of law and imposing an obligation on persons to respect the human rights of others, and it is generally considered that they should not be taken away except as a result of due process based on specific circumstances.

Furthermore, these are the same for all people everywhere—men and women, young and old, rich and poor—regardless of our background, where we live, what we think, or what we believe. This is what makes human rights "universal."  It is the foundation of strong societies in which everyone may contribute and feel included.

Some of the examples of human rights are:

1. The right to live
2. The right to freedom from torture and inhumane treatment
3. The right to equal treatment before the law
4. The right to privacy
5. The right to asylum
6. The right to marry and have family
7. The right to freedom of thought, religion, opinion, and expression
8. The right to work
9. The right to education
10. The right to social services

THE PROBLEM

Discrimination occurs when a person unables to enjoy human rights or other legal rights on an equal basis with others because of an unjustified distinction made in policy, law or treatment. It strikes at the very heart of being human. It harms someone’s rights simply because of who they are or what they believe. It is harmful and perpetuates inequality. We all have the right to be treated equally, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, class, caste, religion, belief, sex, gender, language, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics, age, health or other status. Too often, we hear heartbreaking stories of people who suffer cruelty simply for belonging to a “different” group from those in positions of privilege or power. Many people encounter discrimination because they are unaware of their rights as individuals. They are unable to defend themselves against those who discriminate against them because they are uninformed about human rights. Because they are unaware that there is a law to protect them, some people allow others to oppress them.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS

Why do human rights matter? Here are ten specific reasons:

1. Human rights ensure people have basic needs met
2. Human rights protect vulnerable groups from abuse
3. Human rights allow people to stand up to societal corruption
4. Human rights encourage freedom of speech and expression
5. Human rights give people the freedom to practice their religion
6. Human rights allows people to love who they choose
7. Human rights encourage equal work opportunities
8. Human rights give people access to education
9. Human rights protect the environment
10. Human rights provide a universal standard that holds governments accountable

Human rights are needed to protect and preserve every individual's humanity, to ensure that every individual can live a life of dignity and a life worthy of a human being. Simply because we are human, we hold certain rights. These rights reflect shared values and apply to every human being regardless of the specific laws of their country. Those values also apply to any race, religion, or other identity marker. These are necessary means of protection against oppressors and those who seek to do us harm. In the case of poor treatment, they allow us to speak up and advocate for ourselves and others through the legal system.

We all have certain fundamental rights simply by virtue of being human. They symbolize core societal values such as justice, respect, equality, and decency. They are an important protective factor for all of us, especially those who may be subjected to abuse, neglect, or isolation. Most importantly, these rights strengthen and empower us to speak up and oppose when a public authority treats us unfairly.

This petition aims to raise people's awareness of their human rights. Be a part of creating a better world to live in!