human rights

plural noun

: rights (such as freedom from unlawful imprisonment, torture, and execution) regarded as belonging fundamentally to all persons

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web At least 18 people were reportedly killed in Khash that day, including four minors, according to Haalvsh, a local human rights organization. Babak Dehghanpisheh, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2023 The legislation to revoke residency of families of attackers will likely face legal challenges, something Israeli human rights organization HaMoked has already vowed to do. Hadas Gold, CNN, 1 Feb. 2023 Ukraine’s top human rights organization, Center for Civil Liberties, has requests concerning around 900 civilians captured by Russia since the war began, with more than half still in custody. Hanna Arhirova And Dasha Litvinova, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Jan. 2023 Ukraine’s top human rights organization, Center for Civil Liberties, has requests concerning around 900 civilians captured by Russia since the war began, with more than half still in custody. Hanna Arhirova, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Jan. 2023 The other plaintiffs include Fisseha Tekle, an Amnesty International legal advisor, and the Katiba Institute, a human rights organization in Kenya. Marco Marcelline, PCMAG, 14 Dec. 2022 Memorial, a human rights organization that won the Nobel Peace Prize this year for its work chronicling political repression, has been dismantled. Valerie Hopkins, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2022 Last night in New York City, Jodie Turner-Smith attended the 30th anniversary gala for Equality Now, a human rights organization advocating for gender equality in all realms. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2022 At the latest count, more than 14,900 Russian people have been detained by security forces and police for protesting, according to OVD-Info, a Russian human rights organization. Riley Farrell, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'human rights.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of human rights was in 1629

Dictionary Entries Near human rights

Cite this Entry

“Human rights.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20rights. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.

Legal Definition

human rights

noun plural
: rights (as freedom from unlawful imprisonment, torture, and execution) regarded as belonging fundamentally to all people

More from Merriam-Webster on human rights

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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