What Are Basic Human Rights?

Human beings need certain things to physically survive, like food, water, and shelter. Beyond that, however, we also deserve to be treated with respect and have the freedom to do the things we want to do (as long as it doesn’t harm others). Many people have understood these necessities throughout history, but they haven’t always been protected or written into law.

That all changed in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which is a document declaring the basic human rights—also referred to as fundamental human rights—of all individuals across the world. So what are some of the basic human rights that the Declaration contains?

What Are Some Basic Human Rights?

The Preamble of the UN’s Declaration specifies that the basic rights of humans should be protected by the rule of law, and that all members of the human family are granted these equal and inalienable rights, which form the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world. Much like the United States Declaration of Independence and similar documents throughout history, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights universally protects fundamental human rights and lays down the obligation of governments to act when rights are violated. Here is a list of basic human rights that are included within the UDHR:

• All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. 
• Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
• Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
• No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
• No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
• Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
• All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

These are only some of the basic human rights that are covered in the Declaration. As time has passed and the global landscape has shifted, more rights have been added to help protect individuals and their rights more completely.

While basic human needs like food, water, and shelter aren’t specifically mentioned in the UDHR, they fall under some of the different articles in the document since they are necessary to live (e.g., the right to life). As our world continues to advance, grow, and evolve, some of the things we need change as well. That’s why for many people, access to electricity is now a basic human right and efforts should be made to expand it to everyone in the world.

The Elumis Foundation believes that no child should be left in the dark. Our goal is to use solar kits to bring light to families and children around the world who don’t have access to electricity. With the renewable power of the sun, we can change the lives of people all around the world, give them opportunities they wouldn’t have without access to electricity, and help our planet in the process. Find out how you can get involved and help us make a difference today!

About the Elumis Foundation

The Elumis Foundation is a certified non-profit organization that was created in 2018 by siblings Eva and Michael Sakellakis (ages 15 and 13), looking to make a difference. Their father, who has his own successful solar business Elumis, helped and inspired them to form the foundation. Together they formed a Non-Profit 501(c)3 organization. This allows all donations to be tax-deductible by the donors. 100% of all donations received will fund the distribution of solar kits to be given to families who do not have electricity in impoverished areas of the world.

Elumis’ goal is to bring light to families and kids without that privilege through solar kits. These solar kits are powered through solar panels and can provide light and electricity for a family for up to 24 continuous hours. The Foundation has already made its first donation of 1000 solar kits in Vietnam and plans to distribute more kits to third-world countries throughout Africa, South East Asia, Central America, and India. Our goal is to distribute at least 100,000 kits to families in need.