Human rights-related principles

Universality and inalienability: Human rights are universal and inalienable. Any human being anywhere in the world must enjoy it. No one can voluntarily give them up and neither can anyone deprive another of their rights.

Indivisibility: human rights are indivisible. Civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights are inherent to the dignity of the human being. They all have the same value and cannot therefore be classified according to their level of importance.

Interdependence and correlation: the realisation of one right often depends, wholly or in part, upon the realisation of other rights.

Equality and non-discrimination: all human beings are entitled to the enjoyment of all rights without distinction of any kind, particularly of race, colour, sex, ethnic origin background, age, language, religion, national or social origin, handicap, wealth, birth or any other situation as contained in the human rights instruments.

Participation and inclusion: every person and all peoples are entitled to active, free and meaningful participation in, and contribution to the enjoyment of civil, economic, social, cultural and political development in which human rights and fundamental freedoms can be realised.

Accountability and respect for the rule of law: States and duty-bearers should account for the way they implement human rights. In case they do not comply with legal standards stipulated in the human rights instruments, rights holders who feel aggrieved may take legal action before a court or any other competent authority according to the rules and procedures prescribed by law.