THE NEW TRIBALISM: Defending Human Rights in an Age of Ethnic Conflict : What Is a Human Right?

Definitions can be controversial. The U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, includes both civil rights and economic rights. Some examples:

RIGHTS

* Life, liberty and security of person.

* Entitlement to equal protection of the law.

* Freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State and freedom to leave and return to any country.

* Freedom of thought, religion and expression, including freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media.

* Freedom to own property.

* Free choice of employment, just and favorable conditions of work and protection against unemployment. Equal pay for equal work.

* A standard of living adequate for health and well-being, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services.

* Protection of the moral and material interests resulting from an individual’s scientific, literary or artistic productions.

* Participation in government, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

PROHIBITIONS

* No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

* No one shall be held in slavery or servitude.

* No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

SOURCE: Encyclopedia Britannica