human rights - terms and definitions

What are human rights?

Basic rights and freedoms to which all people are entitled, such as the right to life, liberty, and equality before the law.

What are negative rights?

They protect individuals from interference by others

Examples of negative rights

-The right to free speech: This means that individuals have the right to express their opinions without fear of censorship or retaliation.
-The right to privacy: This means that individuals have the right to keep their personal information and activities private from others, including the government.
-The right to own property: This means that individuals have the right to own, use, and dispose of their own property without interference from others.

What are positive rights?

They guarantee individuals access to certain goods or services. Here are some examples of each:

Examples of positive rights

-The right to healthcare: This means that individuals have the right to access medical care and treatment when they need it.
-The right to education: This means that individuals have the right to access education and the resources necessary to learn and develop their skills.
-The right to a fair trial: This means that individuals have the right to a fair and impartial trial if they are accused of a crime. --This includes the right to legal representation and the presumption of innocence.

What does it mean for human rights to be universal?

These apply to all people, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or nationality.

What does it mean for human rights to be inalienable?

They cannot be taken away or given up by individuals or governments.

What is justice?

It’s is the fair and equitable treatment of all individuals under the law.

What is the rule of law?

It’s the principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to the law, which is fairly applied and enforced.

What is retributive justice?

It’s the punishment of individuals who have committed crimes as a means of avenging or satisfying the victim or society.

Examples of retributive justice?

-Sentencing a criminal to a term in prison for a crime they committed
-Fines or other penalties for individuals who violate laws or regulations
-Legal action taken against companies that engage in unethical or illegal behavior

What is distributive justice?

It’s the fair distribution of resources and opportunities among individuals and groups in society.

Examples of distributive justice:

-Fair distribution of income and wealth among citizens
-Fair access to education, healthcare, and other resources regardless of social or economic status
-Fair allocation of jobs and employment opportunities among individuals or groups

What is restorative justice?

It’s the process of repairing harm caused by crime or conflict and restoring relationships between individuals and communities.

Examples of restorative justice

-Community service or restitution ordered as part of a sentence
-Mediation or dialogue between victims and perpetrators to facilitate healing and reconciliation
-Programs that help individuals who have committed crimes to re-enter society and become productive citizens

What is social justice?

It’s the principle of fair and equitable treatment of all individuals and groups in society, particularly those who are marginalized or disadvantaged.

What is liberty?

Freedom to live life without excessive interference from those in power and to seek success/happiness

Examples of social justice

-Eliminating discrimination and prejudice based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or other factors
-Providing equal opportunities for education, employment, and other resources
-Addressing systemic injustices and inequalities that affect certain groups more than others, such as poverty or homelessness.

What are political rights?

They are the rights that protect an individual's ability to participate in the political process, such as the right to vote or to run for office.

What is equality?

It is the state or quality of being equal, where all individuals are treated fairly and have the same rights, opportunities, and access to resources regardless of their race, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, or any other personal characteristic.

What are civil rights?

They are the legal and constitutional rights that protect individuals from discrimination based on race, gender, or other characteristics.

Procedural Justice

It the fairness and impartiality of the procedures used to determine guilt or innocence in legal proceedings. It ensures that individuals are treated fairly throughout the legal process and that they have a right to a fair trial and due process of law.

What are first-generation rights?

THey are civil and political rights, such as the right to free speech and the right to a fair trial.

What are second-generation rights?

THey are economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the right to education and the right to healthcare.

Examples of procedural justice

A fair trial with an impartial jury and legal representation
The right to appeal a verdict or sentence
Protections against unreasonable search and seizure, self-incrimination, and other forms of government overreach

What is conflict?

It is a situation in which two or more parties have opposing interests or goals.

What is violence?

It is the use of physical force to harm or intimidate others.

What is nonviolence?

It is the practice of achieving social and political goals without the use of physical force or violence.

What is peace

it is often defined as both the absence of conflict and violence as well as a state of harmonious relations. Many also refer to peace as a personal state of non-conflict, particularly with oneself and with one's relationship to others.

What is negative peace?

it is the absence of direct violence or conflict.

What is positive peace?

it is the presence of social justice, economic equity, and other conditions that promote long-term peace and stability.

What is structural violence?

it refers to the systematic ways in which social structures or institutions harm people by preventing them from meeting their basic needs or attaining their full potential.

What is direct violence?

it refers to physical or verbal acts of aggression or harm against individuals or groups.

What is cultural violence?

it refers to the ways in which social norms, values, and practices can harm individuals or groups by promoting or justifying prejudice, discrimination, or aggression.

Give an example of structural violence.

One example is the way in which poverty, racism, and other forms of discrimination can limit people's access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

Give an example of cultural violence.

The use of sexist or racist language, which can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to a culture of intolerance and discrimination.