What Are Human Rights—And Why Do They Need to Be “Granted” by Governments?
"Delay. Deny. Depose. The Dangerous Cycle of Human Rights Suppression"
Introduction: The Myth of Guaranteed Rights
“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” — Nelson Mandela (Amnesty International)
Introduction: The Myth of Guaranteed Rights
Human rights are often described as universal, inalienable, and inherent—but if that were truly the case, why has every marginalized group in history had to fight for their rights? Why do human rights seem to depend on who is in power, where you are born, or what laws are passed?
This article will explore what human rights truly are, why they must be fought for, and how different countries govern human rights differently—setting the foundation for this series on marginalized groups in America.
1️⃣ What Are Human Rights?
Human rights are the fundamental freedoms and protections that every individual should have, regardless of nationality, gender, race, or any other status. They include:
Right to life and security
Freedom of speech and expression
Bodily autonomy (control over one's own body)
Freedom from discrimination, torture, and slavery
Right to a fair trial and due process
Right to education, healthcare, and work
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations in 1948, established these as global principles (UN Declaration of Human Rights). However, the enforcement of these rights varies drastically from country to country.
2️⃣ Why Do Governments “Grant” Human Rights If They Are Supposed to Be Universal?
“A right delayed is a right denied.” — Martin Luther King Jr. (United Nations Foundation)
If human rights are fundamental, why do people have to fight for them? Why do some governments recognize them while others restrict them?
The Difference Between Natural Rights and Legal Rights
Natural Rights: Rights that should exist simply because we are human.
Legal Rights: Rights that governments recognize and enforce.
Governments create laws that determine which rights people actually receive. While some governments expand freedoms, others use their power to suppress, revoke, or selectively apply rights—which is why historically oppressed groups have always had to demand their rights rather than simply receiving them.
📌 Example:
The U.S. Constitution was written by white, land-owning men—and originally only granted rights to white men while denying them to women, Indigenous people, and Black Americans.
Rights are not just “given” by those in power; they are taken and fought for.
📚 Sources:
3️⃣ Who Decides Which Rights We Get?
“We declare that human rights are for all of us, all the time: whoever we are and wherever we are from; no matter our class, our opinions, our sexual orientation.” — Ban Ki-moon (United Nations Foundation)
The government of a country determines what is legally recognized as a “right.” That means your rights depend on where you live and who is in power.
📌 Example:
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) still hasn’t been ratified—meaning women are still not explicitly guaranteed equal rights in the U.S. Constitution.
Roe v. Wade once protected abortion rights, but in 2022, the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision took that right away.
Rights are not set in stone—they can be expanded, but they can also be taken away.
📚 Sources:
4️⃣ How Do Different Countries Handle Human Rights?
“Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights or keep them.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt (United Nations Foundation)
No two governments handle human rights in the same way. Some countries recognize more rights than others, and some systematically violate them.
Freedom House & The Rule of Law Index
Freedom House ranks countries as "Free," "Partly Free," or "Not Free" based on political rights and civil liberties (Freedom House Rankings).
The World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index measures government accountability, corruption, and respect for rights (World Justice Project).
Case Studies: Governments & Human Rights
1️⃣ Italy's Democratic Challenges: Reports show government interference in the judiciary and media, weakening democracy (The Guardian). 2️⃣ Myanmar’s Humanitarian Crisis: U.S. aid cuts have worsened an already dire human rights situation (AP News). 3️⃣ Global Women’s Rights Backlash: Despite progress, women’s rights are under attack worldwide (AP News).
📚 Sources:
5️⃣ Why Some Rights Are Still Being Denied Today
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” — Martin Luther King Jr., from his Letter from Birmingham Jail (Human Rights Careers)
Even in democratic nations, rights are not guaranteed and often come under attack due to:
Political control & oppression (governments use laws to maintain power over marginalized groups).
Fear & discrimination (xenophobia, racism, sexism, homophobia all shape laws and policies).
Corporate & economic interests (workers’ rights and protections often clash with business interests).
📌 Example:
The Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson took away a right (abortion access) that was recognized for 50 years under Roe v. Wade.
LGBTQ+ rights are under attack despite recent progress.
📚 Sources:
Conclusion: Rights Are Not Guaranteed—They Must Be Defended
“The struggle for human rights is at its core a struggle for human dignity.” — Kerry Kennedy (BrainyQuote)
History proves that rights are not permanent.
If we don’t fight for them, they can disappear.
This series will explore how different groups in America have had to fight for their basic human rights—and why that fight is far from over.
📢 Call to Action: "Who gets to decide which of us are worthy of rights? If history tells us anything—it shouldn’t be left in the hands of those in power."
Next in the Series: The Fight for Women's Rights
Stay tuned as we examine how women in America have fought for equality—and why their battle is far from over.