human rights

American  

[hyoo-muhn rahyts, yoo‑] / ˈhju mən ˈraɪts, ˈju‑ /

plural noun

1. fundamental rights, especially those believed to belong to an individual and in whose exercise a government may not interfere, as the rights to speak, associate, work, etc.

---

human rights British  

plural noun

1. the rights of individuals to liberty, justice, etc

---

human rights Cultural  

1. Freedom from arbitrary interference or restriction by governments. The term encompasses largely the same rights called civil liberties or civil rights but often suggests rights that have not been recognized.

---

Discover More

Political leaders in the United States often use the expression when speaking of rights violated by other nations.

Etymology

Origin of human rights

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

human rights

Beyond financing concerns, she also lamented the "serious pushback on human rights" for those with HIV, which was "pushing people underground" and away from receiving testing, prevention and treatment.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

A review of proposed grants shows several are being directed to more traditional human rights purposes, but even some of those have raised concerns in and outside the State Department.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026

Department of State gave money to groups protecting free speech, human rights and persecuted minorities in poor and authoritarian countries.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026

Last month, two United Nations human rights experts called on Iran to release the couple, saying that proceedings against them had been marked by grave irregularities.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

Farmer, who championed human rights and clearly was on the side of the poor, was arguing against it.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

• civil rights