The History of Human Rights
Human rights have been an evolving concept throughout the course of human history. They are rights that are inherent to all human beings, whatever their nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. Everyone is entitled to the same rights, no matter what their circumstances. This recognition of human rights-based freedoms has been integral to ensuring we remain within boundaries of fairness and justice.
Many of the concepts of human rights we know today can be traced back to Ancient Greece, a civilization that is believed to have developed the idea of natural law and rights possessed by all individuals that were superior to laws created by governments. This theory was furthered by the Roman stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius, who declared that all people were equal under the rule of law.
However, the worlds first written legal protection of human rights is widely believed to be the 1215 Magna Carta, a document created by King John of England and his nobles to conform to the customs already established in the English village of Runnymede, near London. The Magna Carta placed certain limits on the powers of the king, established certain guaranteed rights for citizens, and provided for due process of law for all.
In later years, the concept of human rights continued to be talked about, but it wasnt until the 1689 English Bill of Rights that the idea began to gain ground. This document was authored to remove the arbitrary power of the monarchy and grant legal rights to its citizens. These rights included freedom of speech and the right to a fair trial.
In 1776, the United States adopted the Declaration of Independence, a document that declared the power of the people to determine the governing laws of their state. This document also outlined certain inalienable rights which belonged to all citizens, regardless of their station.
In 1789, France also adopted a declaration of human rights, known as the Déclaration des Droits de lHomme et du Citoyen (Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen). This document expanded upon the Declaration of Independence by including more explicitly outlined rights such as the right to education, the freedom of religion, and the right to own property.
In 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is now the most recognized document of international human rights law. This document is unique in the sense that it not only established a universal definition of rights, but also a global standard of which all member countries are expected to abide. This declaration outlines basic rights such as the freedom of speech, the right to freedom from discrimination, and the right to a fair trial.
Since then, many other laws and documents have been created to further refine the concept of human rights. These laws are essential to protecting individuals and their fundamental rights, both domestically and internationally. Without these laws, there is no guarantee that any individuals rights will be respected and upheld. Human rights, though ever-evolving, provide the foundational bedrock on which a healthy society can be built and grow.
