Where Do Human Rights Come From?
Human rights are universal, and they exist regardless of one’s nationality, gender, religion, language, ethnic origin, or country of origin.
Historically, all societies, regardless of whether they followed written or oral traditions, have had systems of justice, as well as ways of protecting the welfare and health of their members.
Describing Human Rights
Human rights are rights that belong to all people, simply because they are human beings.
The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1)
In Canada, everyone has human rights. These rights:
- Are legal guarantees that protect people from actions that go against fundamental freedoms, entitlements, and human dignity
- Respect and protect human values (for example, equality)
- Belong to all individuals
- Come from international norms and standards, and are recognized by local and international governments as legally binding
We are holistic humans with complex identities; we need to see the whole person in the work of anti-racism to ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Staff Member, B.C. Education System
Inequity, Human Rights and Racism
Not everyone experiences human rights and human dignity. For example, someone’s race, faith or national/ethnic origin may result in them experiencing:
- Exclusion
- Bias
- Barriers to participation
- Inequitable access to opportunities
When this occurs, they are experiencing racism and/or other types of discrimination.
Racism and discrimination continue to have impacts on the human rights of many Indigenous and racialized people and groups in schools, school districts, and communities.
