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What are Human Rights?
Human rights are expressions of basic human values that societies have sought to protect from abuse and exploitation. Throughout history, for ethical, cultural, legal, political, and other reasons, diverse societies have affirmed the human and labor rights of individuals.
To codify such rights and values globally, the United Nations and the International Labour Organization (ILO) — a sister U.N. agency that promotes international labor standards — developed two important declarations on human and labor rights for all member states to adopt. These declarations include Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as well as the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (DFPRW).
In addition to defining civil, political and economic rights, these important documents have helped to define which labor rights need protection by governments and other members of society. Such labor and human rights include the right to be compensated in accordance with applicable laws or, in the absence of applicable laws, in accordance with local industry standard; the right to be protected from unsafe working conditions; the right to be protected from forced, indentured or exploitative employment; and the right to work in an environment free from harassment and discrimination.
“ Recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world…”
Preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
