Learning Objectives 
What is Human Rights?

After studying this unit, you should be able to:

• Understand what is meant by human rights and what are the guiding principles at the centre of the movement;

• Recognize that values of human rights are an inseparable element of every country’s political and cultural heritage;
  
  
• Recognize that there is an international consensus on human rights.

Introduction

“Human rights” have been described and defined in countless ways, but over time a consensus has developed over what is meant by human rights. This unit explores this, and explains the nature of human rights concepts. It also discusses the evolution of human rights, its sources in various cultures and traces the most prominent debates.