On Human Rights

The concept of human rights boasts a venerable history spanning nearly four millennia. Defined as the fundamental moral rights inherent to all individuals by virtue of their humanity, human rights serve as international benchmarks designed to shield people from severe abuses in political, legal, and social spheres. Typically, public authorities at both international and national levels are deemed the most capable agents in ensuring the conditions necessary for individuals to lead a life of minimal good, aligning with the primary aim of human rights. Human rights set forth minimal standards, focusing on the prevention of the atrocious rather than the pursuit of the ideal (Shue 1996).