human rights

You use this phrase when talking about fairness or justice. It is a big, powerful term. You can say someone is fighting for human rights. Or you can say a law violates human rights. It works as a noun. You can use it in serious debates. You can also use it when talking about news. It makes you sound informed and caring. Don't worry, it's not just for lawyers!

Use it when you see something unfair in the world. It is perfect for social media posts about justice. Use it in a university essay or a work meeting about ethics. It is great for explaining why you support a specific charity. If a friend asks why a news story is important, use it then. It helps people understand the 'why' behind big global issues.

Avoid using it for small, personal inconveniences. If your roommate eats your pizza, that is not a human rights violation! That is just being a bad roommate. Don't use it for minor office rules either. Using it for small things makes the phrase lose its power. Keep it for the big, important stuff. You don't want to sound like you're overreacting to a cold coffee.

This phrase became world-famous after World War II. In 1948, the United Nations wrote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was a way for the world to say 'never again' to cruelty. Today, it is a 'universal language' for activists everywhere. It is the foundation of modern democracy in many Western cultures. It is a very hopeful and serious concept.

You will often hear civil rights which are rights within one country. People also talk about human rights activists who do the hard work. You might hear about a human rights record of a specific country. Sometimes people just say basic rights for a softer feel. In legal settings, you might hear fundamental freedoms. All of them point back to the same big idea.