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.

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human rights British  

plural noun

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

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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.

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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

Based in The Hague, the ICC was created in 1998 to cement the role of international law in punishing the worst human rights abuses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026

“The Bush administration found that there really are atrocities, human rights violations, genocide for which there are no other alternatives,” to the international court, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026

All of social media should be designed to be safe for children, the UN human rights chief has said after Meta settled a massive court case in the US.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

“The Americans don’t seem to be paying much attention,” said Víctor Clark, a long-time human rights advocate in Tijuana.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

Half of all migrants found “drowned,” autopsies reveal, died before ever entering the water, says Nuevo Laredo human rights activist Raymundo Ramos Vasquez.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario

Related Words

• civil rights