2- Human Rights:
Introduction, Characteristics & Treaties
Where Do Human Rights Come From?
• The ideas behind human rights have been present throughout history in many different
societies and civilizations.
• However, the modern concept of human rights emerged in the 20th century as a response
to the events of the Second World War, and the mass crimes committed.
• States came together in 1948 at the United Nations to agree the ‘Universal Declaration of
Human Rights’ (UDHR) – the most famous, most translated, and probably most important
human rights document.
What Are Human Rights?
• Human Rights belong to everyone.
• Human Rights are the basic rights we all have simply because we are human, regardless of who
we are, where we live or what we do.
• Human Rights allow us to flourish, reach our potential and participate fully in society.
• Human Rights cover many aspects of everyday life ranging from the rights to food, shelter,
education and health to freedoms of thought, religion and expression.
• HUMAN Rights are the rights that all people have by quality of being human beings.
