Understanding Human Rights

Human rights are basic rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled, regardless of nationality, sex, ethnicity, religion, language, or any other status.
They include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more.
The concept of human rights is premised on principles of dignity, fairness, equality, non-discrimination, and respect.
Human rights are inalienable; they cannot be taken away unless in specific situations and according to the law.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

The UDHR is a landmark document in the history of human rights, drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from across the world, and introduced by the United Nations in 1948.
It sets out the fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has formed the basis for many international laws and treaties.

The Human Rights Act (1998) is a key UK legislation that brings the rights set out by the UDHR into UK law.
It outlines the fundamental rights and freedoms that everyone in the UK is entitled to, including right to life, prohibition of torture, right to a fair trial, respect for private and family life, and others.

Understanding human rights is important in addressing issues of discrimination and oppression.
Areas such as housing, education, health services, employment and law enforcement all have crucial implications for human rights.

Personnel in Uniformed Protective Services play a vital role in upholding and protecting human rights.
Service members should be well-versed in human rights legislation to ensure they carry out their duties in a manner that respects individual rights.
Knowledge of human rights can also help to maintain trust between the Uniformed Protective Services and the communities they serve.