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Human rights apply to everyone

Human rights are based on the idea that all people have the same rights. After World War II, 51 countries founded the United Nations (UN) in 1945 to prevent war and protect rights.

In 1948 the UN presented the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It has 30 articles and says all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Everyone has the right to:

• express opinions and share them,
• work, rest and take holidays,
• go to school,
• seek asylum and protection if their life is in danger,
• follow any religion, or none,
• not be discriminated against,
• have a nationality.

Discrimination means treating some people worse than others. It is illegal under the Discrimination Act, which forbids discrimination based on sex, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or disability.

5 practice questions