Human rights are inherent rights that every human is entitled to, such as the right to life, liberty, dignity and self-development. They are based on values of dignity, justice, equality and respect. The UN recognizes core human rights like freedom from discrimination, torture, and the right to fair trial, privacy, work, education and more. Human rights are important to respect, protect and fulfill as they allow people to live freely and ensure basic standards of living for all.

1. Human Rights
What are human rights?
“Human rights are inscribed in the hearts of people”
-Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Human rights are generally defined asthose rights, which are inherent in our nature, and without which, we
cannot live as human beings.
- United Nation
Human rights are supreme, inherent, and inalienable rightstolife, dignity and self-development.It is the essence
of these rights that makes man human.
-Philippine Commission on Human Right
International norms that help to protect all people everywhere from severe political, legal, and social abuses.
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/rights-human/
Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, se x, national
or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. We are all equally entitled to our human rights
without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible.
Universal human rights are often expressed and guaranteed by law, in the forms of treaties, customary
international law , general principlesand other sources of international law. International human rights law lays
down obligations of Governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, in order to promote and
protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups.
WHERE DO RIGHTS COME FROM?
Human rights are based on the values of:
• Dignity
• Justice
• Respect
• Equality
Human rights were officially recognised as values by the world when the United Nations was set up.
Human Rights:
1. Life, liberty and security.
2. Freedom from slavery and torture.
3. Freedom from discrimination.

2. 4. Equality before the law.
5. A fair and public trial.
6. Be considered innocent until proven guilty.
7. Privacy.
8. Freedom of movement.
9. Seek and enjoy political asylum in other countries.
10. A nationality.
11. Marry and have a family.
12. Own property.
13. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
14. Freedom of opinion and expression.
15. Hold peaceful meetings.
16. Work.
17. Rest and leisure.
18. Food, clothing, shelter, medical care and social services.
19. Education.
Categories of human rights
 As Fundamental Freedom in Political Rights
-The Bill of Rights in the Philippine Constitution contains these fundamental freedoms
 As Democratic Rights
-Rights that are commonly exercised in a democratic state .
 As Mobility Rights
-Right to travel and return to one’s country, and the freedom to movement within the country
-National as well as international in character
 As Right to Life, Liberty and the Security of the Person
-Represents the core of fundamental rights which relate to the right to physical and personal integrity, consistent with
human dignity.
 As Legal Rights
-Rights that constitute due process that can be invoked by persons accused.
 As Rights of Equality
-Right against discrimination

3. -Everyone is equal before the law and is entitled to equal protection or the equal benefit of the law.
 As Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
-Considered to be more of standards to be observed by the State
Freedom from detention, torture and other forms of political repression will be meaningless when
people are hostage to hunger, disease, ignorance and unemployment.
 As Workers’ Rights
-Includes the right to association, the right to organize unions, to bargain collectively, the prohibition of employment of
children, and the guarantee of minimum wages and other support.
 As Aboriginal Rights
-Associated with the rights of indigenous cultural tribes or communities
 As Reproductive Rights
-Includes the right to found a family and bear children, to gender sensitivity and the biomedical technology, and to family
planning
 As Protective Rights of Persons in Armed Conflicts
-Rights provided in the international humanitarian law for the protection of children, women and non-combatants during
internal armed conflicts
 As Right of Self-determination
-This rights was asserted by colonial peoples in their struggle for independence
-Right of people to be free from colonial rule and decide their own destiny (Article II, Section 7, Philippine Constitution)
 As Minority Group Right
-These rights include the protection of ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities (Article XIV, Section 7, Philippine
Constitution)
Importance:
Human rights are important because according to UNHR it respect, protect and fulfill.
Conclusion:
Every individual has their human rights but having rights does not only mean that you are able, for having human
rights also mean that you are responsible.
Reference:
Human rights by ALFARHAN ZAHEDI
Human Rights by Christian Cel W. Julian
ABAYA, R.B.2008.Ethics and the Filipino. 2nd edition. Mandaluyong City: National Book Store, 119-126 pp.
COQUIA, J.R. 2000. Human Rights. Quezon City: Central Professional Books Inc., 1-35 pp.
“Human Rights.” December 2012:Diffun, Quirino. 7 June 2013 http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/rights-human/>.
“Human Rights in the Philippines.” Diffun, Quirino. 7 June 2013 <http://www.hrw.org/asia/-philippines>.