The concept of human rights is based on the
belief that every human being is entitled to enjoy
her/his rights without discrimination. Human
rights differ from other rights in two respects.
First, human rights are characterized by being:
• Inherent in all human beings by virtue of
their being humans;
• Inalienable;
• Equally applicable to all.
Second, the main duties deriving from human
rights fall on states and their authorities or agents,
not on individuals.
As a corollary of this, human rights must be
protected by law (‘the rule of law’).