Around the world, many countries have worked hard to guarantee that their citizens are provided with a certain number of rights that are highly protected. Both nation-specific and global declarations codify some of humanity’s most basic rights, and these are rights that cannot typically be infringed without consequences. If you believe that your individual rights have been violated, you may have legal recourse, so be sure to speak with an attorney familiar with the field.
What Are Individual Rights?
Individual rights is a term that refers to a set of basic principles that should be afforded to all humans. In fact, these rights are viewed as so critical to the human experience that there are legal documents and laws in place to protect them from being taken away or violated. Different countries will sometimes have slightly different variations of these rights and how they are exercised and applied, but in general, many individual rights are the same around the world thanks to international declarations meant to apply everywhere.
Where Individual Rights Are Determined
Each country is responsible for codifying its own set of rights, and in the United States, you can find your individual rights in documents such as the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. These are perhaps the most iconic documents when it comes to the delineation of individual rights, but it is important to be aware that not all individual rights are completely and entirely protected from restriction. For example, while your right to protection from torture is ubiquitous, your right to exercise your free speech may be restricted in situations in which your speech constitutes fraud or incites lawless action.
The Right To Privacy
When it comes to rights that require a fine line between personal protection and governmental oversight, privacy may come to mind. Each individual has a right to autonomously choose their own actions without public permission, and their personal information is not subject to public scrutiny. This is why laws like HIPAA exist. However, this is balanced with some level of government surveillance, such as providing the government with one’s personal address or banking information, because it is in the best interest of keeping the nation operational on a large scale.
The Right To Safety From Torture
As an unalienable right, the protection from torture and unusual punishment is common around the world. This ensures that there is no situation in which torture is considered an acceptable response or method. In America, this is protected under the concept of cruel and unusual punishment. Keep in mind that even issues such as severe humiliation may qualify here.
The Right To Speak And Express Oneself
Few individual rights are so notorious as the freedom of speech. As mentioned previously, one’s freedom of speech may be restricted in certain circumstances, and freedom of speech does not protect an individual from the consequences of speaking; rather, it simply safeguards their ability to share their views in the first place. The freedom of speech specifically refers to interference from the government in speech; private entities such as social media platforms may create their own rules and restrictions for what is acceptable.
The Right To Own Personal Property
Personal property is a diverse field that includes both tangible and intangible assets. In nations where the right to own personal property is upheld, your ability to hold land, wealth and personal items is protected. In addition, this right also defends your freedom to acquire and accumulate non-physical items such as stocks and copyrights for intellectual property.
The Right To One’s Beliefs
Most commonly referred to as the freedom of religion, the right to one’s beliefs can encompass not only religion
itself but also general free thought. This enables individuals to participate in religious ceremonies or select non-religious beliefs such as veganism without interference from the government. However, the government may limit religious freedom when necessary to protect the public’s health or safety, or when the exercise of such religion impedes the individual rights of others.
Trust The Professional Civil Rights Attorneys If You Believe Your Rights Have Been Violated
If you believe that your individual rights have been violated in a manner that is not acceptable or legal, you may have recourse. It is important that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible after the event in order to begin documenting the details and determining if you have a case. The lawyers at The Brown Firm would be happy to help you understand your rights and how to proceed. Reach out to schedule a consultation to begin the legal process.
