0:00:06.632,0:00:09.649 The idea of human rights [br]is that each one of us 0:00:09.649,0:00:12.345 no matter who we are [br]or where we are born, 0:00:12.345,0:00:16.528 is entitled to the same [br]basic rights and freedoms. 0:00:16.528,0:00:18.348 Human rights are not privileges, 0:00:18.348,0:00:21.245 and they cannot be granted or revoked. 0:00:21.245,0:00:24.787 They are inalienable and universal. 0:00:24.787,0:00:26.994 That may sound straighforward enough, 0:00:26.994,0:00:29.078 but it gets incredibly complicated 0:00:29.078,0:00:32.930 as soon as anyone tries [br]to put the idea into practice. 0:00:32.930,0:00:35.470 What exactly are the basic human rights? 0:00:35.470,0:00:36.946 Who gets to pick them? 0:00:36.946,0:00:39.743 Who enforces them, and how? 0:00:39.743,0:00:43.460 The history behind [br]the concept of human rights is a long one. 0:00:43.460,0:00:46.966 Throughout the centuries[br]and across society, religions and cultures 0:00:46.966,0:00:52.230 we have struggled with defining notions[br]of rightfulness, justice and rights. 0:00:52.230,0:00:55.313 But one of the most modern affirmations[br]of universal human rights 0:00:55.313,0:01:00.494 emerged from the ruins of World War II[br]with the creation of the United Nations. 0:01:00.494,0:01:03.602 The treaty that established the UN[br]gives as one of its purposes 0:01:03.602,0:01:08.384 to reaffirm faith in [br]fundamental human rights. 0:01:08.384,0:01:09.605 And with the same spirit, 0:01:09.605,0:01:16.029 in 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted[br]the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 0:01:16.029,0:01:20.425 This document, written by an international[br]committee chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt, 0:01:20.425,0:01:24.047 lays the basis for modern [br]international human rights law. 0:01:24.047,0:01:26.052 The declaration is based on the principle 0:01:26.052,0:01:32.598 that all human beings are born[br]free and equal in dignity and rights. 0:01:32.598,0:01:35.653 It lists 30 articles recognizing,[br]among other things, 0:01:35.653,0:01:39.924 the principle of nondiscrimination[br]and the right to life and liberty. 0:01:39.924,0:01:44.185 It refers to negative freedoms,[br]like the freedom from torture or slavery, 0:01:44.185,0:01:45.726 as well as positive freedoms, 0:01:45.726,0:01:49.011 such as the freedom [br]of movement and residence. 0:01:49.011,0:01:51.965 It encompasses basic civil[br]and political rights, 0:01:51.965,0:01:55.981 such as freedom of expression, religion[br]or peaceful assembly, 0:01:55.981,0:01:59.033 as well as social, economic [br]and cultural rights, 0:01:59.033,0:02:00.899 such as the right to education 0:02:00.899,0:02:03.427 and the right to freely [br]choose one's occupation 0:02:03.427,0:02:06.258 and be paid and treated fairly. 0:02:06.258,0:02:10.140 The declaration takes no sides[br]as to which rights are more important, 0:02:10.140,0:02:11.882 insisting on their universality,[br] 0:02:11.882,0:02:13.448 indivisibility, 0:02:13.448,0:02:15.279 and interdependence. 0:02:15.279,0:02:19.106 And in the past decades,[br]international human rights law has grown, 0:02:19.106,0:02:22.346 deepening and expanding our understanding[br]of what human rights are, 0:02:22.346,0:02:25.078 and how to better protect them. 0:02:25.078,0:02:27.264 So if these principles [br]are so well developed, 0:02:27.264,0:02:31.725 then why are human rights abused[br]and ignored time and time again 0:02:31.725,0:02:34.592 all over the world? 0:02:34.592,0:02:38.474 The problem in general[br]is that it is not at all easy 0:02:38.474,0:02:42.745 to universally enforce these rights[br]or to punish transgressors. 0:02:42.745,0:02:46.817 The UDHR itself, despite being[br]highly authoritative and respected, 0:02:46.817,0:02:49.702 is a declaration, not a hard law. 0:02:49.702,0:02:51.702 So when individual countries violate it, 0:02:51.702,0:02:55.841 the mechanisms to address [br]those violations are weak. 0:02:55.841,0:03:00.467 For example, the main bodies within the UN[br]in charge of protecting human rights 0:03:00.467,0:03:03.442 mostly monitor and investigate violations, 0:03:03.442,0:03:10.156 but they cannot force states, to say,[br]change a policy or compensate a victim. 0:03:10.156,0:03:13.731 That's why some critics say it's naive[br]to consider human rights a given 0:03:13.731,0:03:18.213 in a world where state interests [br]wield so much power. 0:03:18.213,0:03:21.141 Critics also question the universality[br]of human rights 0:03:21.141,0:03:23.037 and emphasize that they're development 0:03:23.037,0:03:27.688 has been heavily guided by a small number[br]of mostly Western nations 0:03:27.688,0:03:30.164 to the detriment of inclusiveness. 0:03:30.164,0:03:31.480 The result? 0:03:31.480,0:03:33.985 A general bias in favor [br]of civil policital liberties 0:03:33.985,0:03:36.455 over socio politcal rights, 0:03:36.455,0:03:40.786 and of individual [br]over collective or groups rights. 0:03:40.786,0:03:43.159 Others defend universal human rights laws 0:03:43.159,0:03:47.143 and point at the positive role they have[br]on setting international standards 0:03:47.143,0:03:50.449 and helping activists in their campaigns. 0:03:50.449,0:03:51.417 They also point out 0:03:51.417,0:03:55.233 that not all international [br]human rights instruments are powerless. 0:03:55.233,0:03:59.218 For example, the European Convention[br]on Human Rights establishes a court 0:03:59.218,0:04:03.446 where the 47 member countries[br]and their citizens can bring cases. 0:04:03.446,0:04:08.972 The court issues binding decisions[br]that each member state must comply with. 0:04:08.972,0:04:11.225 Human rights law is constantly evolving 0:04:11.225,0:04:16.040 as our views and definitions of what[br]the basic human rights should be. 0:04:16.040,0:04:19.570 For example, how basic or important[br]is the right to democracy 0:04:19.570,0:04:21.713 or to development? 0:04:21.713,0:04:23.752 And as our lives are increasingly digital, 0:04:23.752,0:04:26.860 should there be a right [br]to access the Internet? 0:04:26.860,0:04:28.926 A right to digital privacy? 0:04:28.926,0:04:30.400 What do you think?