Human Rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all human beings are entitled, like

civil and political rights, the right to life and liberty, freedom of thought and speech/expression,
equality before the law, social, cultural and economic rights, the right to food, the right to work,
and the right to education. In short, human rights are freedoms established by custom or
international agreement that protect the interests of humans and the conduct of governments in
every nation.

Human rights are distinct from civil liberties, which are freedoms established by the law of a
particular state and applied by that state in its own jurisdiction.

Human rights laws have been defined by international conventions, by treaties, and by
organizations, particularly the United Nations. These laws prohibit practices such as torture,
slavery, summary execution without trial, and arbitrary detention or exile. Many human rights
are secured by agreements between the governments and those they govern, such as the U.S.
Constitution. Others are protected by international laws and pressure.

For more information on Human Rights laws, please refer to the materials below. Additionally,
should you need the assistance of a human rights attorney, you may find lists of legal
professionals on our Law Firms page.

Human Rights Articles

 Free Speech on the Job – Can My Employer Fire Me?

While the ability to say what the employee wants is possible, freedom of speech os not
without possible consequences depending on what is said in an office environment. The
employee may have protected rights in public, but policies in the workplace dictate what
he or she can say and do within the building.

 Illegal Searches: Challenging the Underlying Affidavit

An illegal search can happen through a written order that does not specify what occurs at
the residence such as searching rooms that are not in the document or if there is an error
that states a different address. The resident has the right to challenge the affidavit if the
search is illegal because of these errors or other connected reasons.

 Exceptions to Marital Privilege

There are certain exceptions to marital privilege that can include when the two parties
proceed through and complete a divorce, when private communications are no longer
private or when communication details are then shared with a third party. These
exceptions can remove the safeties that marital privilege can bring to a criminal or civil
case.

 Discrimination in Public Places – When Does It Rise to an Actionable Claim?

 Discrimination is a tricky subject to applicable legal action when the person harmed is
not within the confines of a business or working for an employer that breaks the law
through discrimination of protected characteristics. However, there are certain issues
which a person may pursue legal action when an injury occurs through public
discrimination.

 Civil Asset Forfeiture - The Impact of the Timbs v. Indiana Ruling

States involved in civil asset forfeiture do not have the right to ignore the Constitution,
federal rules and what the Supreme Court states about something such as when a ruling
comes down about a case involving these matters. It is important to understand the
impact of various court cases and the ruling that Court makes.

 Illegal Search and Seizure – Making a Successful Challenge

When police do not have a proper or valid warrant or the officer takes liberties with the
situation, the individual affected may have a valid claim against the local law
enforcement department and could successfully challenge the search and seizure of
property. He or she will need the services of a lawyer to implement the challenge
appropriately.

 Exigent Circumstances: How They Let Police Search Without a Warrant

When exigent circumstances exist, police officers do not need a search warrant, do not
need to knock on the door and can enter the house without permission from the owner or
tenant. In these situations, police officers can search and seize property based on the
exigent circumstances involved in the case with the possible perpetrator.

 Convicted of Voyeurism - Do I Have to Register as a Sex Offender?

When convicted of a crime involving illegal acts of sex, with or without the involvement
of a minor, the person can face the requirement to register as a sex offender. This,
however, is not necessarily the outcome of all sex crimes. Even with registration, the
person may not need to remain on the sex offenders’ list indefinitely, as this normally
depends on the state.

 Confidentiality Problems with Lawyers on Social Media Sites

Once the internet becomes part of a case, confidentiality with the involvement of social
media can often invalidate these issues and remove the possibility of keeping details
private for a case if the individual posts something. The lawyer usually explains that
nothing connected to the case should become available to the public through social media
access.

 Social Media Posts by Businesses - Can They Be Held Liable?

 There are times when a business can use intellectual property, reference something about
another person or entity and even engage in illegal activities through social media that
can lead to a lawsuit or criminal charges. The owner can face a civil suit when he or she
does something against another party such as infringe on intellectual property.

 All Civil Rights Law Articles

Articles written by attorneys and experts worldwide discussing legal aspects related to
Civil Rights including: constitutional law, consumer law, discrimination, human rights,
native populations, privacy law, public law and sexual harassment.

 Can Bad Food Be a Violation of the Eighth Amendment Prohibition of Cruel and
Unusual Punishment?
 What is the Difference Between a Human Right and a Civil Right?
 When Does the Geneva Convention Apply?

Human Rights - US
 ABA - Rule of Law Initiative

The Rule of Law Initiative is a public service project of the American Bar Association
dedicated to promoting rule of law around the world. The Rule of Law Initiative believes
that rule of law promotion is the most effective long-term antidote to the pressing
problems facing the world community today, including poverty, economic stagnation,
and conflict.

 ABA - Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities

Created in 1966, the Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities provides

leadership within the ABA and the legal profession in protecting and advancing human
rights, civil liberties, and social justice. The Section fulfills this role by 1) raising and
addressing often complex and difficult civil rights and civil liberties issues in a changing
and diverse society, and 2) ensuring that protection of individual rights remains a focus of
legal and policy decisions.

 Human Rights - Definition

The human rights record of the United States is a controversial and complex issue. The
United States has been praised for its progressive human rights record by international
watchdog organizations and is considered to be among the world's most free nations,
although it has faced some criticism for certain policies and practices.

 National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) - Charters of Freedom

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the nation's record
keeper. Of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the
 United States Federal government, only 1%-3% are so important for legal or historical
reasons that they are kept by us forever.

 The USA and Human Rights

The leaders of the United States of America are proud to present the picture of being the
foremost bearers of human rights. Yet, they have often been heavily criticized for
advancing their own interests and of double standards.

 US Human Rights Network

Underlying all human rights work in the United States is a commitment to challenge the
belief that the United States is inherently superior to other countries of the world, and that
neither the US government nor the US rights movements have anything to gain from the
domestic application of human rights.

Human Rights - Europe

 EU Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

The text of the Convention had been amended according to the provisions of Protocol
No. 3 (ETS No. 45), which entered into force on 21 September 1970, of Protocol No. 5
(ETS No. 55), which entered into force on 20 December 1971 and of Protocol No. 8
(ETS No. 118), which entered into force on 1 January 1990, and comprised also the text
of Protocol No. 2 (ETS No. 44) which, in accordance with Article 5, paragraph 3 thereof,
had been an integral part of the Convention since its entry into force on 21 September
1970.

 European Convention on Human Rights

Rome 4 November 1950, and its Five Protocols: Paris 20 March 1952, Strasbourg 6 May
1963, Strasbourg 6 May 1963, Strasbourg 16 September 1963 and Strasbourg 20 January
1966.

 Human Rights Act 1998 - UK

An Act to give further effect to rights and freedoms guaranteed under the European
Convention on Human Rights; to make provision with respect to holders of certain
judicial offices who become judges of the European Court of Human Rights; and for
connected purposes.

 Human Rights Law in Scotland

Guide to laws related to Human Rights in Scotland and UK.

 The AIRE Centre

 The AIRE Centre (Advice on Individual Rights in Europe) is a specialist law centre
whose mission is to promote awareness of European law rights and assist marginalised
individuals and those in vulnerable circumstances to assert those rights. This London
based charity provides free legal advice on European human rights law and European
Union law.

Human Rights - International

 African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights

The African Charter came into force in 1986, and has been ratified by more than forty
African states, thus becoming the most widely accepted regional convention.

 American Convention on Human Rights "Pact of San Jose, Costa Rica"

Reaffirming their intention to consolidate in this hemisphere, within the framework of

democratic institutions, a system of personal liberty and social justice based on respect
for the essential rights of man.

 Introduction to the UN Human Rights Treaty System

This free website includes an extensive documents library organized by country and
subject matter. You can find information on ratification, reservations and declarations,
state reports, and other key documents.

 United Nation Humanitarian Affairs

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); Documents, news,

statistics, publications, REFWorld database, etc;. United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA); Recent disasters, relief assistance, maps. ;
Landmines; Chernobyl Disaster; Documentation, UN and specialized agencies and plan
of action, etc.

 United Nations Human Rights

Virtually every United Nations body and specialized agency is involved to some degree
in the protection of human rights. One of the great achievements of the United Nations is
the creation of a comprehensive body of human rights law, which, for the first time in
history, provides us with a universal and internationally protected code of human rights,
one to which all nations can subscribe and to which all people can aspire.

 Universal Declaration of Human Rights

On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and
proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in
the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member
 countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated,
displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions,
without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."

Human Rights Organizations

 Amnesty International

Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for

internationally recognized human rights for all. Our supporters are outraged by human
rights abuses but inspired by hope for a better world - so we work to improve human
rights through campaigning and international solidarity. We have more than 2.2 million
members and subscribers in more than 150 countries and regions and we coordinate this
support to act for justice on a wide range of issues.

 Business and Human Rights Resource Centre

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre has become the world's leading
independent resource on the subject. Our website is updated hourly with news and reports
about companies' human rights impacts worldwide - positive and negative. We seek
responses from companies to allegations of misconduct: thus ensuring that our coverage
is balanced and encouraging companies to address concerns raised by civil society.

 Freedom House

Freedom House is an independent nongovernmental organization that supports the

expansion of freedom in the world. Freedom is possible only in democratic political
systems in which the governments are accountable to their own people; the rule of law
prevails; and freedoms of expression, association, and belief, as well as respect for the
rights of minorities and women, are guaranteed.

 Human Rights Internet (HRI)

Human Rights Internet (HRI) is committed to social justice, good governance and
conflict prevention. It seeks to accomplish these goals through human rights informed
policy formation, knowledge transfer and development, promotion of dialogue, training,
and information distribution. HRI works with governmental, intergovernmental and non-
governmental actors to disseminate information, empower marginalized groups, stimulate
reflection, and initiate policy change and institutional development.

 Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is one of two bodies in the
inter-American system for the promotion and protection of human rights. The
Commission has its headquarters in Washington, D.C. The other human rights body is the
Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which is located in San José, Costa Rica.
 International Committee of the Red Cross

International Committee of the Red Cross an independent, neutral organization ensuring

humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of war and armed violence.

 International Women's Rights Action Watch (IWRAW)

The International Women's Rights Action Watch (IWRAW) was organized in 1985 at the
Third World Conference on Women in Nairobi, Kenya, to promote recognition of
women's human rights under the United Nation's Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women (the CEDAW Convention), an international
human rights treaty.

 OSCE Legislation on Human Rights

Legislationline.org provides direct access to international norms and standards relating to

specific human dimension issues (see list of topics on left-hand column) as well as to
domestic legislation and other documents of relevance to these issues. These data and
other information available from the site are intended for lawmakers across the OSCE
region.

 UNICEF

UNICEF is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are
realized. We have the global authority to influence decision-makers, and the variety of
partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. That makes us
unique among world organizations, and unique among those working with the young.