Human Rights

Intended to promote human dignity and freedom, human rights are legal privileges believed to belong to all people, regardless of their nationality, social class, or any other status. Examples of human rights include the rights to vote, to work, to express oneself, and to receive an education.

In the twenty-first century, the international community expects all world governments to uphold these rights, and many countries have enshrined human rights in their constitutions, treaties, and other pieces of legislation. Organizations such as the United Nations (UN) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) oversee international activity to ensure that human rights are being respected around the world, especially in warzones and other areas of violent conflict.

According to the global community, human rights...