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human rights
plural noun
: rights (such as freedom from unlawful imprisonment, torture, and execution) regarded as belonging fundamentally to all persons
Examples of human rights in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There have been years of complaints about poor conditions and human rights violations at migrant detention facilities in Mexico, including inadequate ventilation, food and water, and overflowing toilets.
—Mark Stevenson, ajc, 1 Apr. 2023
Trump administration officials and advisers pushed the nuclear effort, often secretly — an initiative to which some senators objected, citing Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and the potential for development of nuclear arms.
—Kate Kelly, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2023
The longtime human rights advocate joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Rep. Mike McCaul (R-TX), for a press conference outside the Capitol on Tuesday.
—Graeme Jennings, Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2023
That ambiguity — trying to admonish countries for their crimes and human rights issues while also trying to engage with them diplomatically — has resulted in a seemingly mixed policy in the region.
—Peter Aitken, Fox News, 31 Mar. 2023
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Word History
First Known Use
1629, in the meaning defined above
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 26 Nov. 2024.
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
Nglish: Translation of human rights for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of human rights for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about human rights
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