There is no singular definition of "human rights". According to the United Nations, "human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status." In other words, human rights are those rights that belong to us simply by reason of our humanity. They are essential to our dignity as persons and rooted in the conviction expressed in Article I of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights."
• rights to life, liberty, property, and security of persons;
• rights to equal protection of the law and due process;
• freedom from slavery;
• freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment;
• right to a fair trial;
• right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty;
• right against ex post facto law or retrospective law;
• right to privacy of person, home, correspondence;
• freedom of thought, conscience, and religion;
• freedom of expression, association, and assembly;
• right to nationality;
• right to suffrage, to run for public office, and participate in governance;
• right to marry and found a family; and
• right to travel.
