Diritti dell'uomo

‘Human rights’ are a set of moral principles guiding the relationship between man and society, and which gained widespread acceptance in the second half of the 20th century. They are not an act of charity or love, and cannot be subject to the arbitrary actions of a single country or government: all individuals are entitled to human rights, regardless of any of their other qualities or characteristics, such as race, skin colour, gender, language, political and religious beliefs, nationality or social background, and wealth. Their legal nature demands that laws be passed and institutions established so that individuals can effectively exercise these rights, which are acknowledged by the constitutions and laws of nearly every country in the world. Human rights are not universally respected, and this has been one of the main causes of political instability and human suffering in numerous countries, while their assurance has become an ongoing concern for politicians and a matter of international law. Nevertheless, although this ‘idea’ has taken hold, its implementation is still unsatisfactory almost everywhere; in several parts of the world it is even nonexistent, and the fact that violations are taking place is now plain for all to see.