Abstract
Contrary to popular belief, human rights are not about abstract texts but about people, what they and their neighbours are legally free to do, and what obligations fall on governments for guaranteeing those freedoms. It is often governments that are the main violators of human rights, but individuals and organizations may also violate human rights — for example, when terrorists threaten or harm the innocent for political purposes. From a moral point of view, human rights are about the behaviour of individuals. From a legal point of view, human rights are about the responsibilities of governments.
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© 1995 Sydney D. Bailey and Sam Daws
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Bailey, S.D., Daws, S. (1995). Human Rights. In: The United Nations. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-23753-1_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-23753-1_6
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-62917-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-23753-1
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