The chief exponent of this theory was John Locke.
Natural rights theory emphasizes the moral worth
of the individual. Accordingly, the individual
possesses basic human rights and everyone is
inherently entitled to these rights as a human
being, independent of whether or not these rights
are recognized by the ruler. These rights cannot
be denied to any person or taken away from a
person by the ruler or the society. Any denial by
the ruler will constitute a double violation; on the
one hand, it constitutes a violation of the rights
of the individual and, on the other, it constitutes
a violation by the ruler of his duty to protect the
individual.