Human rights are fundamental freedoms guaranteed to every person regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion or other status. Securing these rights for all people has been an arduous journey with critical milestones that shaped our current worldview. In this article, we look back at how human rights have developed over time by looking at key moments from history that drove progress forward and global movements and activism that continue driving change today.
Human rights can be traced back to ancient civilisations, where initial notions of justice, equality and fairness were explored. One such declaration by Cyrus the Great of the Persian Empire in 539 BCE, known as The Cyrus Cylinder, can often be considered one of the earliest human rights documents issued during that era; its clay pages included proclamations regarding slave freedom and religious liberty as well as protecting oppressed populations - setting a precedent for future human rights declarations.
Confucius in China stressed the need for respect between all individuals, which fostered social harmony and moral governance. Ancient Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle also contributed to early discussions regarding ethics, justice, and governance that provided an intellectual foundation for modern theories of human rights.
A major milestone in human rights evolution occurred with the signing of England's Magna Carta document in 1215. While initially created to limit King John's powers, this agreement contained principles that later led to constitutional law and individual rights being recognized - such as protections such as fair trial rights and safeguards against arbitrary imprisonment that remain integral parts of modern legal systems.
Magna Carta had lasting repercussions for centuries after its creation, particularly during the Enlightenment and subsequent revolutions that championed individual rights against oppressive governance.
The 17th and 18th centuries saw a period of intellectual and philosophical advancement known as the Age of Enlightenment, during which prominent thinkers such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Voltaire advocated for individual liberties such as life, liberty, and property rights for individuals. Locke in particular proposed that all individuals possess natural rights such as life, liberty, and property - an argument which laid the groundwork for modern conceptions of human rights.
These Enlightenment ideas inspired two of the greatest revolutions of history: the American Revolution (1775-1783) and the French Revolution (1789-1799). Both movements adopted Declarations of Independence proclaiming equality of life for all humankind - "all men are created equal," endowed with inalienable rights including Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness." Likewise, France declared in their Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen (1789): Men are born free and equal in rights."
These declarations marked a pivotal turning point toward recognising individual rights and acknowledging the responsibility of governments to protect these rights and had an enormous impact on forming future democratic movements and human rights advocacy campaigns.
One of the greatest human rights movements of the 19th century was the global campaign to abolish slavery. Though slavery had existed for millennia, humanist and abolitionist efforts during the 18th and 19th centuries eventually contributed to its decline; the British Parliament passed an act abolitioning slavery trade act in 1807 and by 1833 all British colonies had abolished it completely.
United States followed suit during the American Civil War with its Emancipation Proclamation which proscribed freedom for all slaves living within Confederate-held territory and ultimately led to the 13th Amendment to abolish it across the country in 1865.
Abolition was a historic moment for human rights, yet civil and racial equality battles would remain relevant well into the 20th century and beyond.
World War II and the Holocaust marked a turning point in global awareness of violations against human rights, leading to greater international efforts to uphold them. As part of these efforts, in 1948 the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as a foundational document outlining fundamental human rights that were to be universally protected.
Eleanor Roosevelt chaired a committee that produced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, or UDHR. The document represented an international expression of rights to which all humans are inherently entitled and included life, liberty, security and education as fundamental human entitlements - including freedom from discrimination, torture and slavery. Though non-legally binding, its influence can be found throughout many national constitutions and international treaties that now serve as cornerstones of international human rights law.
The 20th century saw an explosion of human rights activism, particularly regarding racial and civil rights. In the US, Martin Luther King Jr. led the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s which sought to end segregation and discrimination against African-Americans; landmark laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 proved crucial victories on their journey for equality.
Decolonization and independence movements across Africa, Asia, and Latin America sought to end centuries of European colonial rule. Leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi in India and Nelson Mandela in South Africa became symbols of freedom and self-determination movements; Mandela's ultimate triumph against apartheid was an iconic victory for human rights and racial equality worldwide.
Gender equality has long been at the core of human rights evolution. The women's suffrage movement gained steam during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and achieved significant milestones such as women getting the right to vote in countries such as New Zealand (1893), the US (1920) and the UK (1928).
In the 20th century, feminist activism expanded to address reproductive rights, equal pay and protection against gender-based violence. In 1979, when CEDAW was adopted by the UN as part of their commitment towards gender equality and protecting women's rights.
Recognizing and protecting LGBTQ+ rights has become a cornerstone of modern human rights advocacy. Beginning in the mid-20th century, individuals began organizing to fight discrimination and persecution faced by their community; with 1969's Stonewall Riots serving as an impetus for this modern LGBTQ+ rights movement that saw Pride marches taking place and greater visibility for their cause.
Recent decades have witnessed remarkable progress towards equality for LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide, with many countries accepting same-sex marriage, decriminalizing homosexuality and passing anti-discrimination legislation. Yet much work remains; LGBTQ+ individuals still face violence and discrimination across many parts of the globe.
Human rights activism today covers an array of issues, spanning climate justice and immigrant rights to human trafficking prevention and digital privacy protection. Movements such as #MeToo, Black Lives Matter and Fridays for Future highlight this ongoing demand for social justice and accountability.
Human rights and technology intersect in many ways, creating both challenges and opportunities. While activists use digital platforms to raise awareness and mobilize support, concerns over government surveillance, data privacy concerns, and digital censorship highlight the need for robust human rights protections in today's digital environment.
Human rights have evolved through history, global movements, and tireless activism. Though much progress has been made toward universal human rights, their protection remains an ongoing battle. While significant achievements have been made along this journey—from slavery's abolition and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to victories of civil rights movements—we should never lose sight that safeguarding these principles requires constant advocacy and activism from everyone.
This content was created by AI