Contested Meanings

Equality

All people have the same intrinsic value

Positive liberty

Refers to people being able to do what they want to do

Negative liberty

Freedom from coercion, meaning people should not be forced to do something they don’t want to

Justice

The fair and equitable distribution of resources, opportunities, punishments, and treatment within and between societies, closely tied to fairness, rights, and what people morally deserve

Inalienable

Human rights cannot be taken away from (or given away by) human beings

Indivisible

All human rights are of equal and cannot be arranged into a hierachy

Positive rights

These require the authorities, such as governments to take action. Positive rights therefore place responsibility on those with power.

Negative rights

These require those with power to respect individuals’ rights simply by doing nothing at all. Negative rights prohibit certain actions by those in power.

Collective rights

Rights of the group or community

Universalism

The belief that fundamental human rights apply equally to all human beings everywhere, regardless of culture, religion, nationality etc.

Cultural relativism

The belief that human rights, ethics and moral values are not universal, but are defined by a society’s specific culture, religion, history and traditions

Egalitarian justice

The principle that justice requires equal rights, opportunities, and resource for all, actively eliminating social inequalities

Cosmopolitan justice

The belief moral obligations apply to all human globally transcending national borders and state sovereignty

Ecological justice

The framework extending rights and ethical duties to ecosystems, non-human species, and future generations

Justice according to Zulu Ubuntu

A relational concept (‘I am because we are’) prioritizing restorative justice and community reconciliation over individual punishment

Codification of human rights

Encouraging awareness and support for human rights through education, campaigns, and advocacy.

Civil society

Any non-governmental, non-profit organisation or collective through which citizens organize independently to pursue shared interests, values and human rights