Definition:

Human Rights Principles are the ethical foundation and values that underlie all human rights documents. To violate someone’s human rights is to treat that person as though she or he were not a human being. To advocate for human rights is to demand that the human dignity of all people be respected.

Equality:

Humans have equal worth; none is superior or inferior, therefore, all human beings have the same rights.

Human Dignity:

Human Rights acknowledge, describe and protect the fundamental conditions of respect and freedom to which all people are entitled.

Non-Discrimination:

People must be protected from the denial or violation of our rights based on any aspect of our identity—race, ethnicity, national origin, language, color, gender, class, status, ability, age, religion, sexual orientation, etc.

Universality:

Human Rights apply to all people everywhere; human rights are held by all persons equally, universally, and forever.

Inalienability:

Human Rights cannot be waived, taken or given away; we cannot lose these rights; they are ours because we are human. Human rights are inalienable: you cannot lose these rights any more than you can cease being a human being.

Indivisibility:

Human Rights aren’t prioritized as more/less important or non-essential. Human rights are indivisible: you cannot be denied a right because it is said to be “less important” or “nonessential.”

Interdependency:

The power of Human Rights is that they are interconnected and reinforce one another; the strength of one right depends on the presence of the others. Human rights are interdependent: all human rights are part of a complementary framework. For example, your ability to participate in your government is directly affected by your right to express yourself, to get an education, and even to obtain the necessities of life.

Accountability/Responsibility:

Human Rights carry an obligation to uphold and protect the rights of both the collective and the individual; people must not infringe on the rights of others; states signers are accountable to one another to bring their laws and practices into compliance with the articles of the treaties they have ratified. In claiming these human rights, everyone also accepts the responsibility not to infringe on the rights of others and to support those whose rights are abused or denied.