human rights

American  

[hyoo-muhn rahyts, yoo‑] / ˈhyu mən ˈraɪts, ˈyu‑ /

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

Europe may position itself as a beacon of human rights, but that light is flickering.

From The Wall Street Journal

Not a wildly controversial line, nor a surprising one, given Labour's leader, Sir Keir Starmer, is a former international human rights lawyer.

From BBC

Faking illness to avoid a court case, he fled with his family to Amsterdam in 2009, where he claimed political asylum for "witnessing political violence and human rights violations" in Africa.

From BBC

American actor George Clooney, his wife, human rights lawyer Amal and their two children have been awarded French citizenship, the government said.

From BBC

The general justified deposing Condé on similar charges - including rampant corruption, disregard for human rights and economic mismanagement.

From BBC

Related Words

• civil rights