Introduction to Human Rights

Introduction to Human Rights

• Human rights are the essential needs of an individual or group, accepted by the community or society, for a good life, and identified by the state.
• Human rights are innate and cannot be taken away, and are essential for dignity, respect, and care.
• Human rights support equal treatment, regardless of gender, social or economic level, religion, class, color, or other differences.

Historical Perspective

• The first official document of human rights was signed by King John on June 15, 1215, called the "Articles of the Barons".
• Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau are credited with creating the Natural Rights Theory.
• The European Movement in the 18th century developed the idea of the Right of Man.

International Bill of Human Rights

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is the most valuable document regarding human rights and has influenced national and international laws.
• The UDHR includes inspiring rights, economic, social, and cultural rights.

Education as a Right

• The right to education is a fundamental human right, essential for human dignity and development.
• Education is critical for individuals to lift themselves out of poverty and participate fully in social, political, cultural, and economic activities.
• The UDHR states that everyone has the right to education, without differentiation, and of good quality.

Current Situation

• According to UIS data, 258 million children and youth are out of school, including 59 million of primary school age, 62 million of lower secondary school age, and 138 million of upper secondary age.
• Only 99 countries have at least 12 years of free education, and 8.2% of primary school-age children do not attend primary school.
• The youth literacy rate (15-24) is 91.73%, meaning 102 million youth lack basic literacy skills.

Legal Action on the Right to Education

• The right to education is protected in national law, and states must ensure that citizens have legal recourse when the right is violated.
• UNESCO has tools to discuss and resolve objections to the right to education, and states can bring issues to the Committee and Recommendations for discussion.

The Right to Education in Egypt

• The right to education is a fundamental right, essential for the realization of other human rights.
• In Egypt, education was free and a governmental responsibility from the era of Muhammad Ali in the 19th century.
• The Egyptian laws of 1956 and 2014 guarantee the right to education, making it compulsory through high school and free of charge in State schools.

Health

• Health is the most important basic need of human beings, essential for physical and mental well-being.
• The right to health is an inclusive right, including access to healthcare, safe drinking water, sanitation, good food and housing, healthy working and environmental conditions, and health-related education.
• WHO has outlined factors that affect the health of individuals or communities, including place of residence, environment, gender, income, education received, and relationships with friends and family.