human rights

[ hyoo-muhn rahyts, yoo‑ ]

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

plural noun

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

human rights

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.

Notes

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of human rights¹

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

“If there are going to be victims of platform-enabled human rights violations,” Warner said, “that should not be thrown out” of court.

From Washington Post

Afterward, one of the three people was arrested, and the brothers of one of the others were arrested, according to human rights groups.

From Washington Post

This is a really threatening situation for human rights defenders and all political activists.

From Time

Palladino’s clients ran the gamut from international marijuana traffickers and sexual predators to human rights organizations and Hollywood stars.

From Washington Post

It’s also important to consider the ethics of using videos to report potentially illegal acts or human rights violations.

From Popular-Science

There have been at least 50 cases similar to the bathhouse raid in the last 18 months, human-rights groups estimate.

From The Daily Beast

He is a true advocate for human rights who has paid a horrible price for standing up against the Assad dictatorship.

From The Daily Beast

He challenged the very core of the Iranian theocracy and demanded respect for basic human rights.

From The Daily Beast

As the director of Freedom Now, I hold Intigam Aliyev in high esteem and have long respected his work as a human-rights lawyer.

From The Daily Beast

Every day, more and more human-rights activists are coming to Movements.org to find help.

From The Daily Beast

It was the greatest and most powerful enemy of human rights.

From Project Gutenberg

In our glorious Revolution we do not think of revenge; we only seek to strike at the enemies of human rights.

From Project Gutenberg

"If men in these days open their mouths to speak for their human rights it's a disturbance," retorted the demagogue.

From Project Gutenberg

Only a superior man could brush time-honored rules aside so curtly and stand on his human rights so surely.

From Project Gutenberg

At present all three seem mainly indifferent to any question of human rights under the Constitution.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• civil rights