Which Human Rights Do We Have?

Eleanor Roosevelt holding a copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

From the different international declarations and treaties (see here) we can extract this summary list of internationally recognized human rights:

1. Civil Rights or Freedom Rights

• Equality of rights without discrimination
• Life
• Security and integrity of the person
• Protection against slavery, torture and cruel or inhuman punishment (humane treatment when detained)
• Protection against arbitrary arrest or detention (arrest or detention only on the basis of a law and with prompt notice of the charges)
• A public, fair and prompt trial before an independent, impartial and competent judge
• Presumption of innocence until proven guilty
• Means necessary for your defense
• Protection against compulsory confession
• The right not to testify against yourself
• “Ne bis in idem”, no two convictions or punishments for the same offense
• Case reviewed by a higher tribunal
• Protection against “ex post facto” laws, laws established after the deed
• “Nullum crimen sine lege”, there is no offense without a law
• Recognition as a person before the law
• Equality before the law and equal protection by the law
• Judicial protection of rights and access to legal remedies for rights violations (the right to apply to a court which offers redress for violations)
• Protection of privacy, family, home and correspondence
• Freedom of movement and residence
• Asylum from persecution
• The right not to be deprived of your nationality, the right to change your nationality
• Protection against arbitrary expulsion of nationals and aliens
• Leave and return to your country
• The right to marry and beget a family of your choice
• Protection of the family
• The right to own property
• Freedom of thought and religion
• Freedom of expression (seeking, receiving and imparting information regardless of borders)
• The absence of attacks on your honor and reputation
• Freedom of assembly and association (including the right to leave an association)

2. Political Rights or Democratic Rights

• Political participation, directly and through freely chosen representatives
• Equal access to public service, the right to be elected
• The will of the people is the basis of the authority of government
• Periodic and genuine elections
• Universal and equal suffrage
• Secret vote

3. Social, Economic and Cultural Rights

• Social security
• A certain standard of living
• Work, of your own choice and under favorable conditions
• Protection for the unemployed, the elderly, the disabled and sick persons
• Fair wages and equal wages for equal work
• Free trade unions (right to form and join)
• Strike
• Rest and leisure
• Food, clothing and housing
• Health care
• Special protection for children and mothers
• Education
• Participation in the cultural life of the community
• Self-determination
• International solidarity

Here’s all this in the form of a short video: