The term “human rights” has come to refer to a wide range of values and capabilities thought to be inherent in human beings and requisite for the possibility of a just society. They may be based on natural law or religious traditions, or grounded in common experience and shared needs. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights lays out a framework for a world where everyone’s human rights are respected and protected.
When human rights are well understood, there is a much greater chance that people will be able to defend their freedoms against abuses like discrimination and intolerance, injustice, oppression and slavery. The Declaration is the foundation for the work of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Governments have a responsibility to respect and protect the human rights of their citizens. But when they fail to do so, they must be held accountable. UNHCR promotes accountability by working with governments to strengthen laws, ensure displaced and stateless people can access their basic rights and help them to rebuild their lives.
But long term progress can only be made when ordinary people become advocates for human rights. One way to do that is to find a group working to advance human rights in your area and join it. Good groups will have strong leadership, robust systems of accountability and a commitment to listening to their communities. They will also have a clear vision and goals and a clear structure for achieving them.
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