Appearance
Human Rights — Cheat Sheet
Core values
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dignity | Foundation of all values; respect for every individual |
| Liberty | Freedom to regulate one's own relations; basis of rights |
| Equality | Equal treatment without discrimination; concessions for disadvantaged |
| Justice | Fair and equitable treatment; highest value (Plato) |
| Ethics | Social code of conduct; distinguishes right from wrong |
| Morals | Personal character of an individual |
Types of rights
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Natural | Inherent (life, liberty) |
| Legal | Created by State |
| Claim | Entitlement requiring action (right to education) |
| Liberty | Freedom from interference (freedom of speech) |
| Positive | Require provision (education, health) |
| Negative | Require non-interference (freedom from torture) |
| Individual | Held by persons |
| Group | Held by communities (minority rights) |
| Universal | Applicable everywhere |
Types of duties
| Type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Natural | Derived from nature/conscience |
| Acquired | Arise from social role |
| Positive | Require action |
| Negative | Require abstention |
| Perfect | Always binding |
| Imperfect | Circumstance-dependent |
| Prima facie | Appear binding until overridden |
Legal instruments
| Instrument | Binding? |
|---|---|
| Treaty | Yes |
| Convention | Yes (multilateral treaty) |
| Covenant | Yes (binding treaty) |
| Declaration | No (soft law) |
| Protocol | Yes (supplementary to treaty) |
| Charter | Yes (foundational treaty) |
| Statute | Yes (institutional law) |
| Executive order | Depends on domestic law |
| Resolution | Usually no |
UN bodies relevant to human rights
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| General Assembly | Deliberative; adopts declarations and conventions |
| Security Council | Can sanction for gross violations |
| ECOSOC | Coordinates human rights; oversees treaty bodies |
| Human Rights Council | Promotes and protects human rights (replaced Commission, 2006) |
| OHCHR | Leads UN human rights efforts |
| ICJ | Adjudicates disputes between States |
UDHR articles — three generations
| Generation | Articles | Rights |
|---|---|---|
| First | 3–21 | Civil and political rights |
| Second | 22–27 | Economic, social, and cultural rights |
| Third | 28–30 | Solidarity rights (social order, duties, no abuse of rights) |
Key conventions and years
| Convention / Declaration | Year | Group |
|---|---|---|
| UDHR | 1948 | All human beings |
| CEDAW | 1979 | Women |
| CRC | 1989 | Children |
| CRPD | 2006 | Persons with disabilities |
| UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples | 2007 | Indigenous peoples |
| Migrant Workers Convention | 1990 (in force 2003) | Migrant workers |
| Refugee Convention | 1951 | Refugees |
India — key enforcement mechanisms
| Body / Provision | Key point |
|---|---|
| Article 32 | Supreme Court writs (heart and soul) |
| Article 226 | High Court writs |
| NHRC Act | 1993 |
| NHRC | All human rights |
| NCW | Women |
| NCPCR | Children |
| NCM | Minorities |
| NCSC/ST | Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes |
| PIL | Any public-spirited person can file |
| Sarvodaya | Universal upliftment (Gandhi) |
Fundamental Duties (Article 51A)
- Abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions.
- Cherish the noble ideals of the national struggle for freedom.
- Uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
- Defend the country and render national service when called upon.
- Promote harmony and spirit of common brotherhood; renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
- Value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.
- Protect and improve the natural environment and have compassion for living creatures.
- Develop the scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
- Safeguard public property and abjure violence.
- Strive towards excellence in all spheres.
- Parent/guardian to provide education to child/ward between 6 and 14 years. (86th Amendment, 2002)