Everybody is born equal, and each individual has the right to lead a dignified life of his or her own choice. Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language and religion. They include freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, fair trial, and the right to life, work and education. The state's role is to ensure that people have equal rights.
1. Written Precursors of Human Rights
A set of basic rights and freedoms has deep roots in European and American countries.
| Document | Year / Country | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Cyrus Cylinder | 539 BCE, ancient Persia | Cyrus the Great freed the slaves, declared the right to choose one's religion and established racial equality |
| Magna Carta | 1215, England | Gave people new rights and made the king subject to the law |
| Petition of Right | 1628, England | Set out the rights of the people |
| Habeas Corpus Act | 1679, England | For the better securing of the liberty of the subject |
| English Bill of Rights | 1689 | Set out certain basic civil rights |
| French Declaration on the Rights of Man and Citizen | 1789, France | All citizens are equal under the law |
| US Constitution and Bill of Rights | 1791 | Safeguards the rights of the citizens |