There are 30 basic human rights recognized around the world, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations. Everyone born in this world has these inherent human rights, which must be protected by law.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a landmark document that proclaims the inalienable rights to which everyone is entitled as a human being – regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status. It serves as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, forming the foundation for international human rights law.
The 30 Basic Human Rights
The 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights encompass a wide range of protections, from fundamental freedoms to economic, social, and cultural entitlements. Here is a summary of these essential rights:
Fundamental Freedoms and Equality
These rights establish the inherent dignity and equality of all individuals.
- Article 1: Free and Equal
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. - Article 2: Non-Discrimination
Everyone is entitled to all rights and freedoms without distinction of any kind. - Article 3: Right to Life, Liberty, and Security
Every person has the right to life, liberty, and personal security. - Article 4: Freedom from Slavery
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude. - Article 5: Freedom from Torture
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
Legal and Political Rights
These articles focus on fair treatment under the law and participation in public life.
- Article 6: Recognition as a Person Before the Law
Everyone has the right to be recognized everywhere as a person before the law. - Article 7: Equality Before the Law
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. - Article 8: Right to Remedy
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating fundamental rights. - Article 9: Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile. - Article 10: Right to a Fair Trial
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal. - Article 11: Presumption of Innocence
Everyone charged with a penal offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. - Article 12: Right to Privacy
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with their privacy, family, home, or correspondence. - Article 13: Freedom of Movement
Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state, and to leave and return to their country. - Article 14: Right to Asylum
Everyone has the right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution in other countries. - Article 15: Right to Nationality
Everyone has the right to a nationality and no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of their nationality.
Civil and Social Rights
These rights address personal relationships, belief, and participation in society.
- Article 16: Right to Marriage and Family
Men and women of full age have the right to marry and to found a family. - Article 17: Right to Own Property
Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. - Article 18: Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. - Article 19: Freedom of Opinion and Expression
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. - Article 20: Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association
Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. - Article 21: Right to Participate in Government
Everyone has the right to take part in the government of their country.
Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
These articles highlight the right to work, education, and a decent standard of living.
- Article 22: Right to Social Security
Everyone has the right to social security and to the realization of economic, social, and cultural rights. - Article 23: Right to Work and Fair Wages
Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work, and to protection against unemployment. - Article 24: Right to Rest and Leisure
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay. - Article 25: Right to an Adequate Standard of Living
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of themselves and their family. - Article 26: Right to Education
Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. - Article 27: Right to Participate in Cultural Life
Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community.
Collective and Universal Rights
These final articles emphasize the universal nature of these rights and the responsibilities that come with them.
- Article 28: Right to a Social and International Order
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized. - Article 29: Duties to the Community
Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of their personality is possible. - Article 30: Non-Derogation Clause
No part of this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group, or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
For a deeper understanding of each right, the full text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is available on the United Nations website.
