View synonyms for

human rights

[ hyoo-muhn rahyts, yoo‑ ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

plural noun

fundamental rights, especially those believed to belong to an individual and in whose exercise a government may not interfere, as the rights to speak, associate, work, etc.

human rights

plural noun

the rights of individuals to liberty, justice, etc

human rights

Freedom from arbitrary interference or restriction by governments. The term encompasses largely the same rights called civil liberties or civil rights but often suggests rights that have not been recognized.

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Notes

Political leaders in the United States often use the expression when speaking of rights violated by other nations.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of human rights¹

First recorded in 1785–95

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The human rights organisation Liberty sees things very differently, believing the changes amount to an attack on democracy.

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Lord Scott was a prominent human rights lawyer before he became a judge in 2022.

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Some experts have raised concerns that such an approach could amount to a breach of perpetrators' human rights.

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They hated State because they believed it wasn't confrontational enough and cared too much about such secondary issues as human rights.

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As a human rights attorney, I’ve seen some of the worst conduct by government employees, military officials, and private contractors – often done under the weighty guise of protecting the country from mythical ticking time bombs.

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Related Words

civil rights

human resources human safari

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