What are “human rights”?

Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.

Relevantly, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights provide a set of guidelines for States and companies to prevent, address and remedy human rights abuses committed in business operations

These Guiding Principles are grounded in recognition of:

• States’ existing obligations to respect, protect and fulfil human rights and fundamental freedoms.
• The role of business enterprises as specialised organs of society performing specialised functions, required to comply with all applicable laws and to respect human rights.
• The need for rights and obligations to be matched to appropriate and effective remedies when breached.