What is human rights law?

Human rights law is a set of laws that aims to protect the rights of all individuals. It is based on the universal principle of human rights, which states that everyone has fundamental rights and freedoms that should not be violated. In the United States, human rights law is embedded in the United States Constitution and in additional laws passed by Congress. In Washington, the state has its own human rights laws which are enforced by the Washington State Human Rights Commission. These laws protect individuals from discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, national origin, and other characteristics. Examples of the rights they protect include the right to equal opportunity in education, employment, and housing; the right to be free from harassment; the right to access medical care with reasonable access to accommodation; and the right to participate in public life without facing discrimination. Additionally, the United Nations has recognized a set of international human rights, which are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and enforced through various international treaties and organizations. These treaties expand on the rights recognized in the United States Constitution, such as the right to a fair trial, freedom from torture, the right to assemble peacefully, and the right to seek asylum. In sum, human rights law is a set of laws that protect the rights of all individuals, both at a national and international level. It is an important mechanism for ensuring individuals are treated with dignity and respect.

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What is human rights law?

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