When did human rights law develop?
Human rights law is a relatively new area of law, having only been developed in the second half of the 20th century. Prior to that, most laws focused on protecting the rights of citizens within a state or nation and safeguarding their civil liberties. The idea of human rights began to take hold in the wake of the devastating World War II, during which millions of innocent people were killed and millions more were subjected to genocide, torture and other inhumane acts. The concept of universal human rights was officially recognized by the United Nations in their Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. This document established the basic human rights that every individual was entitled to, regardless of nationality, race, religion, gender or any other factor. Over the years, a number of international treaties and covenants were adopted in order to legally bind signatory countries to uphold these rights. In the United States, human rights laws are currently primarily enforced at the state level. In Virginia, the Virginia Human Rights Act was passed in 2003 and amended in 2007, creating a commission to investigate discrimination claims. This act protects individuals from discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or family status. It also provides remedies for victims of discrimination.
Related FAQs
What international judicial institutions exist to protect human rights?What is the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination?
What are the different types of human rights?
What is the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide?
What is the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights?
How are international treaties enforced?
What is the right to freedom of religion?
How do countries ensure that human rights are respected?
What is the role of civil society in protecting human rights?
What is the International Criminal Court?
Related Blog Posts
Protecting Human Rights: An Introduction to the International Law of Human Rights - July 31, 2023Exploring Human Rights: Your Guide to Understanding Human Rights Law - August 7, 2023
Who Is Protected By Human Rights Law? - August 14, 2023
The Human Rights Act: Understanding the UK’s Domestic Legal Framework - August 21, 2023
Human Rights in the European Union: An Overview - August 28, 2023