History of Human Rights

The Evolution of Human Rights

Throughout history, individuals held rights only by virtue of belonging to specific groups—such as families, clans, or communities. A significant shift occurred in 539 BC, when Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon and made a groundbreaking proclamation: he freed all slaves and declared that people were free to choose their own religion. His declarations were recorded on the Cyrus Cylinder, a clay tablet recognized as the first declaration of human rights.

This revolutionary idea of human rights quickly spread to regions such as India, Greece, and eventually Rome, laying the foundation for future advancements. Major milestones in the evolution of human rights include:

1215 – The Magna Carta: Granted new rights to people and established that the king was subject to the law.
1628 – The Petition of Right: Outlined specific liberties for individuals.
1776 – The U.S. Declaration of Independence: Proclaimed the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
1789 – The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen: Asserted that all citizens are equal under the law.
1948 – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): The first global document listing the 30 fundamental rights entitled to every person.

Understanding Human Rights Today

Ask anyone, “What do you know about human rights?”, and you’ll likely receive a range of answers. Some may only mention a few familiar rights like freedom of speech or religion. In reality, the concept of human rights as we know it today took centuries to develop. It wasn’t until after the devastation of World War II that the global community came together to formalize these rights in a single, comprehensive document: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Our Commitment to Human Rights

We exist to protect, promote, and fulfill human rights for all. Our mission includes:

Preventing violations by private or public entities
Educating people about the full spectrum of their rights
Taking action to ensure everyone enjoys these rights, regardless of their background

While many can name a few rights, few are aware of the full scope of human rights. Beyond freedom of expression or belief, human rights also encompass:

The right to work and earn a fair living without fear of discrimination or arbitrary dismissal
The right to leisure, rest, and a balanced life
The right to education, travel, and freely choose one’s career path

We believe in empowering individuals by spreading awareness and defending their rights in every domain.

Core Characteristics of Human Rights We Uphold

Our work is guided by the five foundational characteristics of human rights:

Universal: Rights apply to all people without exception. We strive to educate and promote global respect for these rights.
Inalienable: Rights cannot be taken away. We offer support and legal remedies for those whose rights are violated.
Interconnected: Each right supports the others. We provide comprehensive assistance because rights are linked.
Indivisible: No right can be fully enjoyed without others. We advocate for a holistic understanding rooted in dignity and equality.
Non-Discriminatory: All individuals, regardless of background, deserve fair and equal treatment.

The Legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt and the UDHR

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was shaped under the leadership of Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady of the United States, and a passionate politician, diplomat, and activist. Her vision gave birth to the first universal agreement on the rights each human being inherently possesses.

As declared in Article 1:

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

Do You Know All 30 Rights?

The UDHR outlines 30 fundamental rights, ranging from the right to education, freedom from torture, freedom of expression, to the right to seek asylum. These rights belong to every person on Earth—without exception.

How many do you know?

We are here to ensure that you know them all, and more importantly, that your rights are protected and respected.

30 Human Rights Everyone Should Know

We’re All Born Free and Equal
Every human being is born with equal rights and dignity. We each have our own thoughts and ideas and deserve to be treated equally.
Freedom from Discrimination
Human rights apply to everyone—regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, or any other status.
Right to Life
Every person has the inherent right to life and to live in safety and freedom.
No Slavery
No one has the right to enslave another. Slavery and the slave trade are prohibited in all their forms.
Freedom from Torture
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
Rights Wherever You Go
Human rights are universal and apply regardless of where you are in the world.
Equality Before the Law
Everyone is equal before the law and is entitled to equal protection without discrimination.
Your Rights Are Protected by Law
Legal protection must exist for everyone, ensuring access to justice when rights are violated.
No Unlawful Detainment
No one shall be arrested, detained, or exiled arbitrarily.
Right to a Fair Trial
Everyone has the right to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal.
Innocent Until Proven Guilty
Everyone charged with a criminal offense is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Right to Privacy
Everyone has the right to privacy, family, home, and correspondence without arbitrary interference.
Freedom of Movement
Everyone has the right to move freely within their country and to leave and return to their country.
Right to Seek Asylum
Everyone has the right to seek asylum from persecution in other countries.
Right to a Nationality
Every person has the right to a nationality and the freedom to change it.
Marriage and Family
Every adult has the right to marry and form a family with free and full consent. Spouses have equal rights.
Right to Own Property
Everyone has the right to own property alone or in association with others.
Freedom of Thought and Religion
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
Freedom of Expression
Everyone has the right to express their opinions and to share ideas and information freely.
Right to Peaceful Assembly
Everyone has the right to gather peacefully and to form or join associations.
Right to Participate in Government
Everyone has the right to take part in their government and vote in free and fair elections.
Right to Social Security
Everyone has the right to social services necessary for dignity and personal development.
Workers’ Rights
Everyone has the right to work, fair wages, and to join trade unions.
Right to Rest and Leisure
Everyone has the right to rest, including reasonable working hours and paid holidays.
Right to Adequate Living Standards
Everyone has the right to food, clothing, housing, medical care, and necessary social services.
Right to Education
Everyone has the right to education. Primary education should be free and compulsory.
Copyright and Cultural Rights
Everyone has the right to protect their creative work and to enjoy the arts and scientific advancement.
A Free and Fair World
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which their rights can be fully realized.
Duty to Others
We all have responsibilities to each other and must respect others’ rights and freedoms.
No One Can Take Away Your Rights
No government, group, or individual has the authority to take away your human rights.

What We Do

As an empowered and dedicated institution, our core mission is to monitor, examine, and report on human rights situations—both within specific regions and on broader global trends. Our work falls under two major mandates:

Country Mandates – Addressing human rights issues in specific countries or territories.
Thematic Mandates – Tackling widespread human rights violations across themes and populations.

Key Focus Areas:

Civil & Political Rights – Including freedom of expression, fair trial, protection against torture and detention, and political participation.
Economic, Social & Cultural Rights – Covering access to healthcare, education, housing, and cultural participation.
Marginalized Groups – Advocating for the rights of women, children, minorities, migrants, displaced persons, and indigenous populations.
Systemic Issues – Addressing racism, impunity, religious intolerance, enforced disappearances, and judicial independence.
Emerging Challenges – Responding to modern-day concerns like structural adjustment policies, the right to development, and global inequality.

We also provide advisory services and technical cooperation, strengthening national institutions and treaty body compliance. Where existing standards fall short, we work actively with stakeholders to develop new frameworks that meet evolving human rights needs.

Implementation and Accountability:

Our efforts are centered on ensuring implementation. Human rights mean little unless effectively upheld. Through a robust network of independent experts and representatives, we continuously report to international bodies and raise awareness on the state of human rights globally.