Human Rights

Universal moral and legal entitlements inherent to all human beings, regardless of nationality, sex, ethnicity, or religion, often codified in international treaties like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Example: The right to be free from torture and the right to a fair trial are considered fundamental human rights recognized by international law and most national constitutions.

Common misconception: Human rights and civil rights are the same thing. Human rights are universal and inherent to all people globally, while civil rights are specific legal protections granted by a particular nation’s laws to its citizens or residents.

Sources: https://www.state.gov/policy-issues/human-rights/ — U.S. Department of State, human rights policy page (official U.S. government source); https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights — UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (not a U.S. government source; the UDHR itself has no U.S. federal equivalent page)