What Are Human Rights?

Human Rights may vary from continent to continent, but they are basic and fundamental rights which are bestowed simply on account of being a member of the Human Race, regardless of colour, age, religion, disability, sexuality etc.

So the right not to be tortured is a human right and is almost universally regarded as being a human right.  The right to be tried after arrest or the right not to be kept as a slave are also basic human rights.

The European Union created Human Rights legislation which is applicable throughout the EU and is superior to other national legislation.  This contains a series of articles e.g. the right not to face discrimination.  Because this legislation is applicable to every human, it has received a significant amount of negative press coverage, since criminals in prison can use the legislation to protest against something which they feel  has breached their Human Rights.