“A right is not what someone gives you; it's what no one can take from you.” -- Ramsey Clark.

Human rights are "rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled." Proponents of the concept usually assert that everyone is endowed with certain entitlements merely by reason of being human.

Human rights are thus conceived in a universalist and egalitarian fashion. Such entitlements can exist as shared norms of actual human moralities, as justified moral norms or natural rights supported by strong reasons, or as legal rights either at a national level or within international law.

“Human Rights for everyone is the necessary foundation upon which all of us may build a world where everybody may live in peace and serenity and plenty.”-- Michael Douglas

ORIGIN OF HUMAN RIGHTS

The modern conception of human rights developed in the aftermath of the Second World War, in part as a response to the Holocaust, culminating in its adoption by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. However, while the phrase "human rights" is relatively modern the intellectual foundations of the modern concept can be traced through the history of philosophy and the concepts of natural law rights and liberties as far back as the city states of Classical Greece and the development of Roman Law. The true forerunner of human rights discourse was the enlightenment concept of natural rights developed by figures such as John Locke and Immanuel Kant and through the political realm in the United States Bill of Rights and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

The protection of fundamental human rights was a foundation stone in the establishment of the United States over 200 years ago. Since then, a central goal of U.S. foreign policy has been the promotion of respect for human rights, as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The United States understands that the existence of human rights helps secure the peace, deter aggression, promote the rule of law, combat crime and corruption, strengthen democracies, and prevent humanitarian crises.

Because the promotion of human rights is an important national interest, the United States seeks to:

* Hold governments accountable to their obligations under universal human rights norms and international human rights instruments;
* Promote greater respect for human rights, including freedom from torture, freedom of expression, press freedom, women's rights, children's rights, and the protection of minorities;
* Promote the rule of law, seek accountability, and change cultures of impunity;and
* Assist efforts to reform and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Commission on Human Rights.

PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN INDIA

The National Human Rights Commission is an expression of India's concern for the protection and promotion of human rights. It came into being in October,1993. It took up major initiatives such as –

* Rights of the vulnerable groups Rights of women and children, minorities, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes People displaced by mega projects People affected by major disasters such as the super-cyclone in Orissa and the earthquake in Gujarat. Monitoring the functioning of the Mental hospitals at Ranchi, Agra and Gwalior, and the Agra Protection Home, under a Supreme Court remit.
* Action Research on Trafficking Promotion and protection of the rights of the disabled .
* Rights of De notified and nomadic tribes Welfare of the destitute widows of Vrindavan Elimination of manual scavenging Promotion of human rights literacy and awareness in the educational system and more widely in society.
* Human rights training for the armed forces and police, public authorities, civil society, and students Research through well-known academic institutions and NGOs on various issues relating to human rights Publication of Annual Report, monthly Newsletter, Annual Journal, and research studies Consultation with NGOs and experts/specialists on Human Rights Issues .

Both Rights and Obligations

Human rights entail both rights and obligations. States assume obligations and duties under international law to respect, to protect and to fulfil human rights. The obligation to respect means that States must refrain from interfering with or curtailing the enjoyment of human rights. The obligation to protect requires States to protect individuals and groups against human rights abuses. The obligation to fulfil means that States must take positive action to facilitate the enjoyment of basic human rights. At the individual level, while we are entitled our human rights, we should also respect the human rights of others.

In the concluding lines, I would like to quote an inspirational poem by Teresa Patterson-

“Do not forfeit your right to live
With peaceful joy, with tears and laughter,
With purpose and view of the ever after,
Learn how to love and how to give.
Do not forfeit your right to live…

Do not pay homage to rage, to sorrow,
Save a few memories for tomorrow,
In every moment play your part!
For glory do not forsake your heart…
Embrace the NOW with delight!
To love, do not forfeit your right…

Do not forfeit your happiness…
Don’t live your life in token’s shadow
While there is sunshine in the meadows,
Even if you are penniless…
For life itself is pure happiness.

Do not forfeit your right to pray
If obstacles happen on the way,
There is no sin in honest toil…
Sow all your seeds in fertile soil,
Then share your bounty with thy neighbor.
Do not forfeit the joys of labor.

Do not forfeit your right to live.
Cherish your days, then close the chapter,
Before embracing the ever after.
Do not just forget, but forgive.
Thus you can earn your right to live…
Forever…”